Cardiovascular Therapeutics

ABSTRACT

Compounds and compositions comprising a B-type natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular diseases, disorders, and conditions.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/525,140, filed 18 Aug. 2011(attorney docket number OTA-1101-PV), which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety for any and all purposes.

FIELD

The inventions relate to pharmaceuticals, compositions and methodsuseful for treating, preventing and ameliorating the effects ofcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions, as well as articlesand kits comprising such compounds and compositions.

BACKGROUND

The following includes information that may be useful in understandingthe present invention. It is not an admission that any of theinformation, publications or documents specifically or implicitlyreferenced herein is prior art, or essential, to the presently describedor claimed inventions. All publications and patents mentioned herein arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Heart disease, including ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarctionsand other acute coronary syndromes, as well as heart failure, is a majorhealth problem throughout the world.

It is understood, for example, that myocardial infarctions are asignificant source of mortality among those individuals with heartdisease. Myocardial infarction (MI) or acute myocardial infarction(AMI), commonly known as a heart attack, is the interruption of bloodsupply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die. This is mostcommonly due to occlusion (blockage) of a coronary artery following therupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque, which is an unstablecollection of lipids and white blood cells (especially macrophages) inthe wall of an artery. The resulting ischemia and oxygen shortage, ifleft untreated for a sufficient period of time, can cause damage ordeath (infarction) of heart muscle tissue, i.e., the myocardium.Classical symptoms of acute myocardial infarction include sudden chestpain (typically radiating to the left arm or left side of the neck),shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, sweating, andanxiety. Approximately one quarter of all myocardial infarctions,however, are “silent,” i.e., without chest pain or other symptoms.Immediate treatment for suspected acute myocardial infarction includesoxygen, aspirin, and sublingual nitroglycerin. Most cases of STelevation MI (STEMI, also sometimes referred to as transmural myocardialinfarction, or Q-wave myocardial infarction) are treated withthrombolysis or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). NSTEMI (non-STelevation MI, also sometimes referred to as nontransmural myocardialinfarction, or non-Q-wave myocardial infarction) is managed withmedication, although PCI is often performed during hospital admission.Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for both men and womenworldwide.

Heart failure (HF), often called congestive heart failure (CHF), is aclinical syndrome characterized by systemic perfusion inadequate to meetthe body's metabolic demands as a result of impaired cardiac pumpfunction, i.e., it is generally defined as the inability of the heart tosupply sufficient blood flow to meet the needs of the body. Heartfailure is a common, costly, disabling, and potentially deadlycondition. McMurray J J, Pfeffer M A (2005) “Heart failure”. Lancet 365(9474): 1877-89. In developed countries, around 2% of adults suffer fromheart failure, but in those over the age of 65, this increases to 6-10%.Id. Currently, it is estimated that more than 5 million Americans areafflicted with heart failure, approximately 2% of the population.American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2008Update. Dallas: American Heart Association, 2008.http://circ.ahajournals.org. Both the human suffering and the financialburden associated with HF are substantial. Patients with heart failureaccount for about 1 million hospital admissions annually, and another 2million patients have heart failure as a secondary diagnosis. One thirdof these patients are readmitted within 90 days for recurrentdecompensation. Common causes of heart failure include myocardialinfarction and other forms of ischemic heart disease, hypertension,valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. McMurray J J, Pfeffer M A(2005) “Heart failure”. Lancet 365 (9474): 1877-89.

Heart failure may be further subdivided into systolic or diastolic heartfailure. In systolic heart failure, there is reduced cardiaccontractility, whereas in diastolic heart failure there is impairedcardiac relaxation and abnormal ventricular filling. The most commoncause of heart failure is left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction(about 60% of patients). In this category, most cases are a result ofend-stage coronary artery disease, either with a history of myocardialinfarction or with a chronically underperfused, yet viable, myocardium.In many patients, both processes are present simultaneously. Othercommon causes of LV systolic dysfunction include idiopathic dilatedcardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease,toxin-induced cardiomyopathies (e.g., doxorubicin, herceptin, alcohol),and congenital heart disease. Heart failure can also develop as a resultof right ventricular infarction, pulmonary hypertension, chronic severetricuspid regurgitation, or arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.A less-common cause of heart failure is high-output failure caused bythyrotoxicosis, arteriovenous fistulae, Paget's disease, pregnancy, orsevere chronic anemia. Diastolic LV dysfunction (impaired relaxation)usually is related to chronic hypertension or ischemic heart disease.Other causes include restrictive, infiltrative, and hypertrophiccardiomyopathies. Inadequate filling of the right ventricle can resultfrom pericardial constriction or cardiac tamponade. Patients at highrisk for developing heart failure are those with hypertension, coronaryartery disease, diabetes mellitus, family history of cardiomyopathy, useof cardiotoxins, and obesity. Heart failure is a common syndrome,especially in older adults. Although more patients survive acutemyocardial infarction because of reperfusion therapy, most have at leastsome residual LV systolic dysfunction, which can lead to heart failure.Currently, heart failure has no cure. While treatments such as medicinesand lifestyle changes can help people live longer and more active lives,researchers continue to look for new ways to treat heart failure and itscomplications.

Chest pain is a nonspecific symptom that can have cardiac causes, andthe term angina is typically reserved for pain syndromes arising frompresumed myocardial ischemia. The term unstable angina was first used tosignify the intermediate state between myocardial infarction and themore chronic state of stable angina. The old term, preinfarction angina,conveys the clinical intent of intervening to attenuate the risk ofmyocardial infarction or death. Patients with this condition have alsobeen categorized according to their presentation, diagnostic testresults, or course over time; these categories include new-onset angina,accelerating angina, rest angina, early postinfarct angina, and earlypostrevascularization angina. Unstable angina is considered to be anacute coronary syndrome in which there is no release of the enzymes andbiomarkers of myocardial necrosis. Although the etiology and definitionof unstable angina can be broad, interplay between disruptedatherosclerotic plaque and overlaid thrombi is present in many cases ofunstable angina, with consequent hemodynamic deficit ormicroembolization. This is distinct from stable angina, in which thetypical underlying cause is a fixed coronary stenosis with compromisedblood flow and slow, progressive plaque growth that allows for theoccasional development of collateral flow.

“Acute Coronary Syndrome” (ACS) has been applied to a group of coronarydisorders that result from ischemic insult to the heart. ACS includespatients who have or are at high risk of developing an MI. Patients withACS present to the physician with conditions that span a continuum thatincludes unstable angina, STEMI, NSTEMI and transmural (Q-wave) MI. ACSalso include cardiac ischemia, and is believed to result largely fromthrombus deposition and growth within one or more coronary arteries,resulting in a partial or complete occlusion of the artery, andfrequently involves rupture of the plaque, resulting in an ischemicinjury. ACS may also be precipitated by a coronary vasospasm orincreased myocardial demand. For review, see, e.g., Davies, Clin.Cardiol. 20 (Supp. I): 12 17 (1997). The seriousness of ACS isunderlined by the morbidity and mortality that follow the ischemicinsult. For example, workers have estimated that within four to sixweeks of presentation with ACS, the risk of death or a subsequent MI is8-14%, and the rate of death, MI, or refractory ischemia is 15-25%.Theroux and Fuster, Circulation 97:1195 1206 (1998). Given that thetotal number of deaths in the U.S. from acute MI is about 600,000, thesearch within the art for information that relates to the therapeuticmanagement of ACS has understandably been extensive.

B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP or BNP-32) is a 32-amino acidneurohormone that is synthesized in ventricular myocardium and releasedinto the circulation in response to ventricular dilation and pressureoverload. The plasma concentration of BNP is elevated among CHRpatients, and increases in proportion to the degree of left ventriculardysfunction and the severity of CHF symptoms. For review, see, e.g.,Wiese et al., Circulation 102: 3074 9 (2000); Yasue et al., Circulation90: 195 203 (1994); Yoshimura et al., Circulation 87: 464 9 (1993);Stein and Levin, Am. Heart J. 135: 914 23 (1998); and Omland et al.,Heart 76: 232 7 (1996). The precursor to BNP is synthesized as a134-amino acid precursor molecule referred to as “pre pro BNP,” which iscleaved into a signal peptide comprising amino acids 1-26 and a108-amino acid molecule consisting of amino acids 27-134, referred to as“pro BNP.” Pro BNP is proteolytically processed into a 76-amino acidN-terminal peptide (amino acids 1-76), referred to as “NT pro BNP” andthe 32-amino acid mature hormone, referred to as BNP or BNP 32 (aminoacids 77-108). It has been reported that NT pro-BNP, BNP-32, and the prepro BNP can circulate in human plasma. See, e.g., Tateyama et al.,Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 185: 760 7 (1992); Hunt et al., Biochem.Biophys. Res. Commun. 214: 1175 83 (1995).

In August 2001, hBNP (native peptide) was approved by the FDA under thetrade name Natrecor (nesiritide) for the treatment of acute congestiveheart failure. Natrecor was the first drug approved for the treatment ofCHF in over twelve years. It is administered by intravenous continuousinfusion over a period of 48 hours in patients with acute decompensatedor advanced CHF who have dyspnea at rest or with minimal activity. Asthe drug is expensive and requires hospitalization, Natrecor is onlyused for the most acute cases. Additionally, the therapeutic usefulnessof BNP is limited by endopeptidase degradation, as well as natriureticpeptide clearance receptor (NPR-C) mediated internalization, whichcauses these proteins to have a fairly short half-life in vivo. Forexample, the plasma half life of BNP is estimated to be approximately 20minutes (Potter et al., Endocrine Reviews 27(1):42-72 (2006)), andprevious therapeutic administration of these peptides has been limitedto time consuming intravenous infusion, typically in a hospital or othermedical care facility.

There remains a need in the art for new therapeutics useful in treatingpatients having or at risk for developing cardiovascular diseases,disorders and conditions, including ischemic heart disease, acutecoronary syndromes and heart failure. There is a particular need for newtherapeutics that span the entire spectrum of cardiovascular diseases,disorders and conditions associated with ischemia and/or oxidativestress. Such therapeutics are described and claimed herein, based onsurprising discoveries indicating, for example, that signal peptidefragments of BNP are novel cardioprotective and therapeutic agents.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The inventions described and claimed herein have many attributes andembodiments including, but not limited to, those set forth or describedor referenced in this Brief Summary. It is not intended to beall-inclusive and the inventions described and claimed herein are notlimited to or by the features or embodiments identified in this BriefSummary, which is included for purposes of illustration only and notrestriction.

In one aspect, the inventions provided herein include compounds. Thecompounds are useful for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Inanother aspect, the inventions include compositions comprising orconsisting essentially of one or more of those compounds.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, include the following peptides:LHLAFLGGRS (SEQ.ID.NO:1), LHLAFLGGR (SEQ.ID.NO:2), LHLAFLGG(SEQ.ID.NO:3), LHLAFLG (SEQ.ID.NO:4), LHLAFL (SEQ.ID.NO:5) and LHLAF(SEQ.ID.NO:6), LHLA (SEQ.ID.NO:7), LHL (SEQ.ID.NO:8), LH (SEQ.ID.NO:9).In the above peptides shown as SEQ.ID.NO:1-9, any one or more of theLeucines (L) can be substituted with Isoleucine (I), with D-leucine orD-isoleucine, or with tert-leucine, norleucine, L-allo-isoleucine,D-allo-isoleucine, D-tert-leucine and D-norleucine, and/or the histidinecan be substituted with any non-naturally occurring amino acid that hasor is prepared to have a side chain terminating with an imidazole ringall of which are SEQ.ID.NO:1-9 analogs.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula I:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇ X₈

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro,Ala, Arg or Ser; X₇ is Arg, Gin, Asn or Gly; and X₈ is Thr or Gly.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula H:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro,Ala, Arg or Ser; and X₇ is Arg, Gin, Asn or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₇ is Lys, Gin, Asn or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₆can also be Gly.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula III:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; and X₆ isPro, Ala, Arg or Ser; provided

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula IV:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ is X₅

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; and X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; providedthat

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula V:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; and X₄ isNorleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VI:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; and X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, and X₃ can also be Phe;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₃ can alsobe Phe; and

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₂can also be Ala.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VII:

L H X₁ X₂

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; and X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla; and where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VIII:

L H X₁

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly.

Included in the scope of the invention are active analogs andconservative variants of these compounds, including truncations thereof,preferably C-terminal truncations. Additionally, for example, in thepeptides shown in Formulae I-VIII, any one or more of the Leucines (L)can be substituted with Isoleucine (I), with D-leucine or D-isoleucine,or with tert-leucine, norleucine, L-allo-isoleucine, D-allo-isoleucine,D-tert-leucine and D-norleucine, and/or the histidine can be substitutedwith any non-naturally occurring amino acid that has or is prepared tohave a side chain terminating with an imidazole ring, all of which arefurther analogs thereof.

In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more of the amino acids of thepeptides within the scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9 andsequences within Formulae I-VIII, may be in the L- or D-configuration.In other embodiments, one or more of the amino acids of the peptideswithin the scope of the invention are naturally-occurringnon-genetically coded amino acids. In still other embodiments, one ormore of the amino acids of the peptides within the scope of theinvention are amino acid analogs or synthetic amino acids.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the N-terminal Leucine (orIsoleucine D-leucine, D-isoleucine, tert-leucine, norleucine,L-allo-isoleucine, D-allo-isoleucine, D-tert-leucine or D-norleucine) ofthe peptides within the scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9and sequences within Formulae I-VIII, may be modified to contain aformyl group, a group comprising a formyl group, an ester of acarboxylic acid (preferably an aldehyde ester, e.g., a carboxyethylgroup, a carboxymethyl group, etc.), or a group comprising a an ester ofa carboxylic acid. Modifications with formyl, carboxyethyl, andcarboxymethyl groups are presently preferred.

In another embodiment, one or more the amino acids in compounds withinthe scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9 and sequenceswithin Formulae I-VIII, are substituted for another amino acid from asimilar amino acid class or subclass, based primarily upon the chemicaland physical properties of the amino acid side chain. For example, oneor more hydrophilic or polar amino acids can be substituted for anotherhydrophilic or polar amino acid. Likewise, one or more hydrophobic ornonpolar amino acids can be substituted for another hydrophobic ornonpolar amino acid. In making such substitutions, polar amino acids canbe further subdivided into amino acids having acidic, basic orhydrophilic side chains and nonpolar amino acids can be furthersubdivided amino acids having aromatic or hydrophobic side chains.Nonpolar amino acids may be further subdivided to include, among others,aliphatic amino acids.

Also within the scope of the invention are compounds of the inventionthat have been modified to improve their biopharmaceutical properties.In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are modified, forexample, to provide increased stability, increased resistance toproteolytic inactivation, decreased to nonexistent immunogenicity,increased circulatory lives, including modified serum half-lives andmodified therapeutic half-lives, and low toxicity. Modified forms ofcompounds of the invention include prodrug forms, representativeexamples of which are described elsewhere herein. Methods by which thecompounds of the invention can be modified also include, for example, byPEGylation, by chemical derivitization, and by fusion or conjugationwith peptides or lipids. Modified compounds include modified Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, including, for example,modified BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1), and modified analogs, variants(e.g., conservative variants) and truncations thereof. Other embodimentsinclude peptides selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9 that have beenmodified, and peptides according to Formula I, Formula II, Formula III,Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and/or Formula VIII thathas been modified, and active analogs, variants (e.g., conservativevariants) and truncations thereof that have been modified.

Other embodiments include peptidiomimetics of compounds of theinvention.

The present inventions also include pharmaceutical compositionscomprising or consisting essentially of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In oneembodiment, the pharmaceutical composition comprises or consistsessentially of BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1). In another embodiment, thepharmaceutical composition comprises or consists essentially of asequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9. In another embodiment, thepharmaceutical composition comprises or consists essentially of asequence selected from Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV,Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and/or Formula VIII. Included in thescope of the invention are pharmaceutical compositions including one ormore active analogs and conservative variants of these compounds,including truncations thereof, preferably C-terminal truncations. In oneembodiment, the inventions include pharmaceutical compositionscomprising or consisting essentially of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment or a therapeutically active analog or variant ortruncation thereof.

In another embodiment, the inventions include pharmaceuticalcompositions comprising or consisting essentially of compounds of theinvention, including analogs, variants, truncations, etc., that havebeen modified to improve their biopharmaceutical properties. In certainembodiments, the compounds of the invention are modified, for example,to provide increased stability, increased resistance to proteolyticinactivation, decreased to nonexistent immunogenicity, increasedhalf-lives or circulatory lives, and low toxicity. Methods by which thecompounds of the invention can be modified include, for example, byPEGylation, by chemical derivitization, and by fusion or conjugationwith peptides or lipids.

The inventions include a pharmaceutical composition comprising one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable Type-B natriuretic signal peptideagents for the treatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acutecoronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., andrelated cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions characterizedat least in party by ischemia and/or oxidative stress, and relateddisorders and conditions. Certain preferred Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide agents are identified herein as SEQ.ID.NOS:1 to 9. BNPsp(17-26)(SEQ ID NO:1) is most preferred. Other Type-B natriuretic signal peptideagents are within Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV,Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and Formula VIII. Other embodimentsinclude active analogs, variants (e.g., conservative variants) andtruncations of the foregoing, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.Thus, the inventions include pharmaceutical compositions in a formsuitable for, or adapted to, treatment of a subject for a cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition. In one embodiment, the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition is associated with ischemia and/oroxidative stress. In certain embodiments, the cardiovascular disease,disorder or condition is an acute coronary syndrome. The acute coronarysyndrome may, for example, be selected from the group consisting ofST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevationmyocardial infarction and unstable angina. In other embodiments, thecardiovascular disease, disorder or condition is ischemic heart disease.In other embodiments, the cardiovascular disease, disorder or conditionis heart failure (any form). For example, the heart failure may besystolic or diastolic heart failure. The heart failure may result fromleft ventricular systolic dysfunction. The heart failure may also be aresult of right ventricular infarction, pulmonary hypertension, chronicsevere tricuspid regurgitation, or arrhythmogenic right ventriculardysplasia. The heart failure may also be a result of diastolic LVdysfunction. In another embodiment the cardiovascular disease, disorderor condition is ischemic heart disease.

In one aspect, the invention includes pharmaceutical compositions usefulfor preventing and/or treating a cardiovascular disorder in a subject,e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease,etc., and related cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditionsinvolving ischemia and/or oxidative stress, and related disorders andconditions, including parenteral delivery forms and formulations, aswell as other forms of delivery including forms for delivery byinfusion, injection and instillation, and delayed, slow, extended orcontrolled release compositions, devices and matrices, comprising orconsisting essentially of therapeutically effective amounts of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent alone or in combination withanother cardiovascular therapeutic agent(s), and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. In certain preferred embodiments, the pharmaceuticalcompositions are formulated for intravenous administration, including byinfusion or as a bolus. Other formulations for other routes ofadministration are also within the scope of the invention, including,for example, formulations for nasal, pulmonary, buccal, rectal,transdermal and oral delivery.

In another aspect, the compositions of the invention comprise about 0.01to about 100 milligrams, about 100 to about 500 milligrams, or about 500to about 1000 milligrams or more of a compound of the invention, forexample, a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment or Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment analog, including one or more ofSEQ.ID.NOS:1-9 and peptides according to any of Formulae I to VIII.Other doses are described herein and include doses ranging from at leastabout 100 nanograms, including, for example at least about 200nanograms, 600 nanograms, 2000 nanograms, 6000 nanograms and at leastabout 10,000 nanograms or more. Dose concentrations includeconcentrations of at least about 0.1 moles per liter, including, forexample, at least about 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 nMoles/L. Doseconcentrations also include concentrations of 0.1 nMoles/L, 0.3nMoles/L, 1.0 nMoles/L, 3.0 nMoles/L and 10.0 nMoles/L. These doseconcentrations are equivalent to 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 11 μg/L andadministrable weight doses of 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 micrograms/kg(μg/kg). Also within the invention are other doses ranging from 0.1 to5.0 μg/kg and 0.1 to 10.0 μg/kg. Additionally, doses of about 0.4, 1.0,4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are within the invention. Doses of at least about0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are also within the invention. Thesecompositions and amounts may be provided as single or multiple doses.

The inventions also include methods of treatment of a subject having orat risk for developing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition,comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effectiveamount of one or more of the compounds or pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition is associated with ischemia and/oroxidative stress. In one embodiment, the cardiovascular disease,disorder or condition is an acute coronary syndrome, e.g., ST-segmentelevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardialinfarction or unstable angina. In another embodiment, the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition is heart failure. In other embodiments,the cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition is ischemic heartdisease. In another embodiment, the cardiovascular disease, disorder orcondition is stable angina.

The inventions include methods of treating a subject having or at riskfor developing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition,comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.In one embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentin the pharmaceutical composition is BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1). Inanother embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment inthe pharmaceutical composition comprises or consists essentially of asequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9. In another embodiment, theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises or consists essentially of a sequence selectedfrom Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, FormulaVI, Formula VII or Formula VIII. Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents also include active analogs, variants, truncations, andmodified forms of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentsdescribed herein.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods of treating and/orpreventing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition that isassociated with ischemia and/or oxidative stress in a subject byincreasing Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment activity in thesubject. This may be accomplished, for example, by administering to thesubject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g., a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment or a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment, including a BNPsp fragment comprising or consistingessentially of a sequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9, or a peptidecomprising or consisting essentially of a peptide according to any ofFormulae I to VIII, or an analog, variant, truncation or modificationthereof. In certain embodiments, about 0.01 to about 100, 500 or 1000nanograms or milligrams or more (e.g., at least about 100 nanograms ormilligrams, at least about 500 nanograms or milligrams, or at leastabout 1000 nanograms or milligrams) of a BNPsp fragment or Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment analog, e.g., a BNPsp fragmentcomprising or consisting essentially of a sequence selected fromSEQ.ID.NOS:1-9, or a peptide comprising or consisting essentially of apeptide according to any of Formulae I to VIII, is administered per dayin single or divided doses or by continuous infusion, for example.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods of treating a patientsuffering from chest pain of any cause, including acute coronarysyndrome, comprising administering to the patient a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent,wherein the patient is not suffering from a Q-wave MI or STEMI. In acertain embodiment of this method, the patient is suffering fromunstable angina. In another embodiment of this method, the patient issuffering from non-Q-wave cardiac necrosis. In still another embodimentof this method, the patient has a blood troponin I level of no more than0.4 ng/ml. In yet another embodiment of this method, the patient has ablood troponin T level of no more than 0.1 ng/ml. In yet anotherembodiment of this method, the patient does not have elevated bloodcreatine kinase. In still another embodiment of this method, the patientdoes not have ST-segment elevation. In yet another embodiment of thismethod, the patient does not exhibit a pathological Q-wave. In anotherembodiment of this method, the patient exhibits one or more of thefollowing symptoms: chest pain greater than 15 minutes in duration,chest pain at rest, or chest pain following minimal exertion that ispoorly responsive to sublingual nitrates.

In one embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentis administered in a single dose. In another embodiment, the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered in more thanone dose. In yet another embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent is administered continuously over a period oftime, for example a predetermined period of time. In still anotherembodiment, glucose or a potassium salt, or a combination thereof, isco-administered with the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods for treatment of apatient, comprising administering to the individual a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent,wherein the administration is after the onset of one or more of thefollowing symptoms: chest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes, chestpain at rest, chest pain following minimal exertion, nausea, shortnessof breath, palpitations, or dizziness. In other embodiments, the patienthas not suffered a Q-wave MI or STEMI prior to the onset of the symptomor symptoms; patient is suffering from unstable angina; the patient issuffering from non-Q-wave cardiac necrosis; the patient has a bloodtroponin I level of no more than 0.4 ng/ml; the patient has a bloodtroponin T level of no more than 0.1 ng/ml; the patient does not haveelevated blood creatine kinase myocardial isoenzyme; the patient doesnot have ST-segment elevation; the patient does not exhibit apathological Q-wave; the administration occurs between the time of onsetof the one or more symptoms, and the time the patient suffers a Q-waveMI or STEMI. In another embodiment, the method further comprises thestep of continuing the administration of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent during the time that the patient suffers a Q-waveMI or STEMI. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises thestep of continuing the administration of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent after the time the patient suffers a Q-wave MI orSTEMI. In other embodiments of this method, the patient has ischemicheart disease, or is at risk for developing ischemic heart disease. Instill another embodiment of the method, the patient has one or more ofthe following cardiac abnormalities: congestive heart failure, worseningheart murmur due to mitral regurgitation, or evidence of cardiacconduction disturbances. In other embodiments, the patient has a normalECG. In another embodiment of this method, the patient has stableangina. In other embodiments of the method, the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent is administered in a single dose, or isadministered in more than one dose, or is administered continuously. Inan additional embodiment of this method, glucose or a potassium salt, ora combination thereof, is co-administered with the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent.

The inventions also include methods for treating a patient sufferingfrom stable angina, comprising administration of a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent. In a further embodiment, theadministration is continuous over a period of time, including apredetermined period of time.

The inventions also provide a method for performing angioplasty on apatient in need thereof, comprising administering a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent to the patient during the angioplastyprocedure. In a further embodiment, the method comprises or furthercomprises administering a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent to the patient prior to the angioplasty procedure. In a furtherembodiment, the method comprises or further comprises administering aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent to the patientfollowing the angioplasty procedure. In other embodiments, a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered to the patientbefore, during, and/or after the angioplasty procedure, in anycombination.

The inventions also include methods for treatment of a patient withischemic heart disease, or is at risk for developing ischemic heartdisease, including patients who exhibit one or more of the followingsymptoms: nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness, andfurther wherein the patient does not exhibit chest pain, comprisingadministering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, wherein the patient isnot suffering a Q-wave MI or STEMI. In another embodiment of thismethod, the patient has a normal ECG.

Also provided are methods for increasing the time during whichthrombolytic therapy will be effective following the first symptom ofcardiac distress, comprising administering a therapeutically effectiveamount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent after theonset of one or more of the following symptoms: chest pain lastinglonger than 15 minutes, chest pain at rest, chest pain following minimalexertion, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness.

In another aspect, the treated subject is a mammal, preferably a human.Other mammals include domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or petanimals, such as dogs, horses, and cats.

The inventions also include articles of manufacture comprising packagematerial containing one or more of the compounds or pharmaceuticalcompositions described herein. Then inventions also include articles ofmanufacture comprising package material containing one or more of thecompounds or pharmaceutical compositions described herein, together withinstructions for use in or on a subject in order to prevent and/or treata cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition. In one embodiment, thecardiovascular disease, disorder or condition referred to in theinstructions is associated with ischemia and/or oxidative stress. Inanother embodiment the cardiovascular disease, disorder or conditionreferred to in the instructions is ischemic heart disease. In oneembodiment, the cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition referredto in the instructions is an acute coronary syndrome, e.g., unstableangina, STEMI, and/or NSTEMI. In another embodiment the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition referred to in the instructions is heartfailure (any form). The instructions may be electronic and/or associatedwith a website.

The inventions also include methods of preparing a medicament forpreventing or treating one or more of the cardiovascular disease,disorder or conditions referenced herein, including, e.g., an acutecoronary syndrome, heart failure, etc., comprising bringing together atherapeutically effective amount of a compound referenced herein, e.g.,a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment or a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment analog or variant, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier. In one embodiment the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment comprises a sequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:1 to 9.In another embodiment the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentanalog is a compound selected from one or more of Formulae I-VIII. Inone embodiment the medicament is formulated for parenteraladministration.

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)one or more other cardiovascular treatment agents. Such othercardiovascular treatment agents include nitrates, β-blockers, calciumchannel blockers (particularly for stable or unstable angina, but alsofor heart failure in the case of β-blockers), diuretic agents,vasodilator agents, positive inotropes, ACE inhibitors and aldosteroneantagonists, e.g. spironolactone (particularly for heart failure), bloodthinning therapeutics (e.g., aspirin, heparins, warfarins) andnitroglycerin (particularly for MI).

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, may also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)one or more anti-thrombolytic therapies (e.g., streptokinase inhibitors,anti-platelet therapeutics, such as, for example, clopidogrel).

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, may also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)a Type-B natriuretic peptide, including for example nesiritide, arecombinant form of Type-B natriuretic peptide.

In certain methods and compositions (including pharmaceuticalcompositions, formulations, articles of manufacture and kits) of theinvention for the prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovasculardisorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemicheart disease, etc., and related cardiovascular diseases, disorders andconditions involving ischemia and/or oxidative stress,sub-therapeutically effective amounts of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent, and one or more other cardiovascular treatmentagents are used or provided for combined administration (separately orjointly as a combined preparation) to provide a combined action that istherapeutically effective.

Thus, it will be understood that compositions and methods of theinvention for the treatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acutecoronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., andrelated cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involvingischemia and/or oxidative stress, that employ a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent, including active analogs thereof, andanother cardiovascular therapeutic agent are disclosed. A Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent may be selected, for example,from the group consisting of BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1), BNPsp(17-25)(SEQ ID NO:2), BNPsp(17-24) (SEQ ID NO:3), BNPsp(17-23) (SEQ ID NO:4),BNPsp(17-22) (SEQ ID NO:5), BNPsp(17-21) (SEQ ID NO:6), BNPsp(17-20)(SEQ.ID.NO:7), BNPsp(17-19) (SEQ.ID.NO:8), and BNPsp(17-18)(SEQ.ID.NO:9), and active analogs thereof. In another embodiment, aType-B natriuretic signal peptide agent may be selected from the groupconsisting of a sequence according any one of Formula I, Formula II,Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and FormulaVIII, and active analogs thereof. Optionally, a cardiovascular agent isselected, for example, from the group comprising or consistingessentially of nitrates, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers, diureticagents, vasodilator agents, positive inotropes, ACE inhibitors,aldosterone antagonists, nitroglycerin, blood thinning agents,anti-thrombolytic agents, and Type-B natriuretic peptides.

Treatment of a subject as provided herein with one or more compounds orpharmaceutical compositions as described herein may comprise theirsimultaneous, separate, sequential or sustained administration.

Pharmaceutical compositions useful for preventing and/or treating acardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heartfailure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress, are also provided in the form of a combined preparation, forexample, as an admixture of two or more Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agents.

The term “a combined preparation” includes not only physicalcombinations of compounds, but compounds provided as a “kit of parts” inthe sense that the combination partners as defined above can be dosedindependently or by use of different fixed combinations withdistinguished amounts of the combination partners (a) and (b), i.e.simultaneously, separately or sequentially. The parts of the kit canthen, for example, be administered simultaneously or chronologicallystaggered, that is at different time points and with equal or differenttime intervals for any part of the kit of parts.

In one embodiment, the inventions include a kit comprising one or moredoses of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, the kitcomprising one or more of a syringe, a “pen” injector that delivers ametered dose, a needle-less injector, a liquid formulation, alyophilized powder and a sterile liquid for reconstitution, a dry-powderinhaler, a buccal tablet, and a sublingual tablet.

In one embodiment a combined preparation is administered, wherein two ormore separate compositions are administered to a subject, wherein thefirst composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and the secondcomposition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent. In another embodiment a thirdcomposition is administered comprising a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent or another cardiovascular therapeutic agent.

Thus, pharmaceutical compositions useful for preventing and/or treatinga cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heartfailure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress, are provided for combined, simultaneous, separate sequential orsustained administration. In one embodiment, a composition comprising orconsisting essentially of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent is administered at or about the same time as anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent(s). In one embodiment, a compositioncomprising a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent isadministered within at least about thirty minutes of anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent(s). In one embodiment, a compositioncomprising a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent isadministered within at least about one hour of another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent(s). In one embodiment, a composition comprising aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered withinat least about 2-12 or 12 to 24 hours of another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent(s). In one embodiment, a composition comprising aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered withinat least about 24-48 hours of another cardiovascular therapeuticagent(s). In another embodiment the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent and another cardiovascular therapeutic agent(s) areadministered within about 1-8 hours of each other, within about one dayof each other, or within about one week of each other.

In another aspect, the invention includes methods for administering atherapeutically effective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent, alone or in combination with another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent, formulated in a delayed release preparation, a slowrelease preparation, an extended release preparation, a controlledrelease preparation, and/or in a repeat action preparation to a subjecthaving or at risk for developing a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., anacute coronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc.,and related cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involvingischemia and/or oxidative stress, or a related disorder or condition.

In certain other aspects, the invention also relates to methods of usingsuch compositions to treat subjects suffering from or at risk for acardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heartfailure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress, and related disorders and conditions.

In other aspects, the inventions include methods and compositions forpreventing and/or treating a subject having or suspected of having orpredisposed to, or at risk for, any diseases, disorders and/orconditions characterized in whole or in part by angina.

According to one aspect, the present invention is directed to methods ofhalting or decreasing or providing relief from the symptoms of acardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heartfailure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of preventing and/ortreating a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome,heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof acomposition comprising therapeutically effective amounts of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, alone or together or incombination with another cardiovascular therapeutic agent, wherein saidfirst agent is selected from the group consisting of BNPsp(17-26) (SEQID NO:1), BNPsp(17-25) (SEQ ID NO:2), BNPsp(17-24) (SEQ ID NO:3),BNPsp(17-23) (SEQ ID NO:4), BNPsp(17-22) (SEQ ID NO:5), BNPsp(17-21)(SEQ ID NO:6), BNPsp(17-20) (SEQ.ID.NO:7), BNPsp(17-19) (SEQ.ID.NO:8),and BNPsp(17-18) (SEQ.ID.NO:9) and sequences according any one ofFormula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI,Formula VII and Formula VIII, and active analogs thereof, wherein thesecond cardiovascular agent is selected from the group comprising orconsisting essentially of nitrates, β-blockers, calcium channelblockers, diuretic agents, vasodilator agents, positive inotropes, ACEinhibitors, aldosterone antagonists, nitroglycerin, blood thinningagents, anti-thrombolytic agents, and Type-B natriuretic peptides.

Methods of the invention include the sequential or simultaneousadministration a first and second agents as described herein, either orboth of which are provided in amounts or doses that are less that thoseused when the agent or agents are administered alone, i.e., when theyare not administered in combination. Such lesser amounts of agentsadministered are typically from about one-twentieth to about one-tenththe amount or amounts of the agent when administered alone, and may beabout one-eighth the amount, about one-sixth the amount, about one-fifththe amount, about one-fourth the amount, about one-third the amount, andabout one-half the amount when administered alone.

In another aspect, the invention includes an article of manufacturecomprising a vessel containing a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent(s), such as, forexample, BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1), BNPsp(17-25) (SEQ ID NO:2),BNPsp(17-24) (SEQ ID NO:3), BNPsp(17-23) (SEQ ID NO:4), BNPsp(17-22)(SEQ ID NO:5), BNPsp(17-21) (SEQ ID NO:6), BNPsp(17-20) (SEQ.ID.NO:7),BNPsp(17-19) (SEQ.ID.NO:8), and BNPsp(17-18) (SEQ.ID.NO:9) and compoundsselected from any one of Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV,Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII, and Formula VIII, and active analogsthereof, together or in physical combination with a secondcardiovascular agent, such as one or more nitrates, β-blockers, calciumchannel blockers, diuretic agents, vasodilator agents, positiveinotropes, ACE inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists, nitroglycerin, bloodthinning agents, anti-thrombolytic agents, and/or Type-B natriureticpeptides, and instructions for use, including use for the treatment of asubject as described herein.

The invention includes an article of manufacture comprising packagingmaterial containing one or more dosage forms as described herein,wherein the packaging material has a label that indicates that thedosage form can be used for a subject having or suspected of having orpredisposed to any of the diseases, disorders and/or conditionsdescribed or referenced herein, including acute coronary syndromes,ischemic heart disease, angina and heart failure.

The invention includes method of preparing a medicament for preventingand/or treating a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, comprising bringing together and an amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier together with one or more other cardiovascular agentsuseful for preventing and/or treating a cardiovascular disorder, e.g.,an acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc.,and related cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involvingischemia and/or oxidative stress.

The invention includes methods for the use of a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent(s) in the manufacture of a dosage form useful for preventingand/or treating a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, and related disorders and conditions. Suchdosage forms include, for example, oral delivery forms and formulations,well as other forms of delivery including forms for delivery byinfusion, injection and instillation, and compositions and devicesincluding slow-release, extended release, and delayed releasecompositions, depots and matrices, for example. Such dosage formsinclude those for the treatment of a subject as disclosed herein.

In certain other aspect, the invention provides a package comprising aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent(s) together withinstructions for use, alone or in combination with one or more othercardiovascular therapeutic agents for preventing and/or treating acardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heartfailure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and related cardiovasculardiseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemia and/or oxidativestress, and related disorders and conditions.

In other aspects, the inventions provide for use of one or more of thecompounds and compositions described herein in the manufacture of amedicament. In other aspects, the inventions provide for use of one ormore of the compounds and compositions described herein in themanufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of one or more ofthe diseases, disorders and conditions described herein. In otheraspects, the inventions provide for use of one or more of the compounds,compositions and medicaments described and claimed herein in thetreatment of a subject for one or more of the diseases, disorders andconditions described herein.

These and other aspects of the present inventions, which are not limitedto or by the information in this Brief Summary, are provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

This application contains at least one figure executed in color. Copiesof this application with color drawing(s) will be provided upon requestand payment of the necessary fee. A brief summary of each of the figuresis provided below.

FIG. 1 demonstrates the beneficial effects of human BNPsp(17-26)administration in an isolated rat heart model of ischemia reperfusioninjury. FIG. 1 panel (A) shows that administration of 0.3 nMol and 1nMol human BNPsp(17-26) either before (pre) or after (IDR) a 40 minuteperiod of ischemia improves the contractile function of the leftventricle as assessed by developed pressure. These effects were mostpronounced at 0.3 nMol pre and 1 nMol IDR. FIG. 1 panel (B) documentsvascular reactivity, as assessed by perfusion pressure in the samehearts as in FIG. 1 panel (A). Perfusion pressures during thereperfusion phase after ischemia are beneficially reduced by pre or IDRtreatment with BNPsp(17-26). FIG. 1 panel (C) shows significantreductions in troponin I release (a biomarker of cardiac cell necrosis)during reperfusion resulting from IDR administration of humanBNPsp(17-26). FIG. 1 panel (D) shows concomitant improvements inreperfusion myoglobin levels in the same samples described in FIG. 1panel (C).

FIG. 2 demonstrates in vivo tolerance and lack of haemodynamic effectsto human BNPsp(17-26) administration in normal, healthy sheep. FIG. 2panel (A) shows the lack of response in cardiac output in sheep 1 whengiven constant infusion of human BNPsp(17-26) at 10 ng/kg/min and 100kg/ng/min, compared with control infusion (saline). Such a response isindicative of a well tolerated agent. FIG. 2 panel (B) shows the samelack of response of cardiac output in sheep 2, when the same doses ofBNPsp(17-26) as in FIG. 2 panel (A) were administered.

FIG. 3 shows normalized contractile function (developed pressure) inisolated hearts preconditioned with synthetic human BNPsp(17-26) andcontrol buffer. Doses and group size are as shown.

FIG. 4 shows normalized vascular function (perfusion pressure) inisolated hearts preconditioned with synthetic human BNPsp(17-26) andcontrol buffer. Doses and group size are as shown.

FIG. 5 shows the cumulative release of troponin I (AUC) in heartspreconditioned with synthetic human BNPsp(17-26) and control buffer.Doses and group size are as per FIGS. 3 and 4. *=P<0.01 vs. control.

FIG. 6 shows the developed pressures in isolated hearts givenBNPsp(17-26) during reperfusion after ischemia. Doses and sample sizeare as shown.

FIG. 7 shows the perfusion pressure (upper panel) and cumulativetroponin release (lower panel) in isolated hearts given BNPsp917-26)during reperfusion after ischemia.

FIG. 8 shows Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining demonstrating a greaterdegree of myocyte cell swelling and myofibrillar derangement in controlhearts compared with BNPsp(17-26) treated hearts.

FIG. 9 shows caspase-3 staining of slides of left ventricular free wallcardiomyocytes. Caspase-3 activity is indicated by the browncolouration. Colouration was virtually absent from hearts infused with 1nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) at reperfusion and markedly reduced in heartspreconditioned with 0.3 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26), compared with control.

FIG. 10 shows marked reduction in TUNEL positive cells from heartsinfused with BNPsp(17-26). TUNEL positive nuclei (red-brown colouration)was markedly reduced in all hearts infused with BNPsp(17-26).

FIG. 11 shows that the infusion of human BNPsp(17-26) into 4 normalsheep at 100 and 1000 ug/kg·min had no effect upon venous pressure,heart rate, mean arterial pressure or cardiac output. Similar resultswere found for hormones and renal indices.

FIG. 12 shows the cumulative troponin I release in sheep undergoingcardiac ischemia and receiving human BNPsp(17-26). Treated sheep hadsignificantly lower cumulative troponin I release (P<0.01) compared withcontrol.

FIG. 13 shows the elution profile of proteolytically cleaved humanBNPsp(18-26) that has been passed through either an ischemia isolatedrat heart or in vivo sheep under cardiac coronary ligation. The elutionposition (fraction 34) is four fractions earlier than synthetic humanBNPsp(17-26), indicated by the downward arrow.

FIG. 14 shows the developed pressures in isolated perfused rat heartsreceiving 0.3 nmol/L of altered BNPsp sequences (n=3 for each group).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Practice of the present inventions may include or employ variousconventional techniques of molecular biology (including recombinanttechniques), microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, nucleic acidchemistry, and immunology, which are within the skill of the art. Suchtechniques are explained fully in the literature, and include but arenot limited to, by way of example only, Molecular Cloning: A LaboratoryManual, second edition (Sambrook et al., 1989) and Molecular Cloning: ALaboratory Manual, third edition (Sambrook and Russel, 2001), jointlyand individually referred to herein as “Sambrook”; OligonucleotideSynthesis (M. J. Gait, ed., 1984); Animal Cell Culture (R. I. Freshney,ed., 1987); Handbook of Experimental Immunology (D. M. Weir & C. C.Blackwell, eds.); Gene Transfer Vectors for Mammalian Cells (J. M.Miller & M. P. Calos, eds., 1987); Current Protocols in MolecularBiology (F. M. Ausubel et al., eds., 1987, including supplements through2001); PCR: The Polymerase Chain Reaction, (Mullis et al., eds., 1994);Current Protocols in Immunology (J. E. Coligan et al., eds., 1991); TheImmunoassay Handbook (D. Wild, ed., Stockton Press NY, 1994);Bioconjugate Techniques (Greg T. Hermanson, ed., Academic Press, 1996);Methods of Immunological Analysis (R. Masseyeff, W. H. Albert, and N. A.Staines, eds., Weinheim: VCH Verlags gesellschaft mbH, 1993), Harlow andLane (1988) Antibodies, A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring HarborPublications, New York, and Harlow and Lane (1999) Using Antibodies: ALaboratory Manual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, N.Y. (jointly and individually referred to herein as Harlow andLane), Beaucage et al. eds., Current Protocols in Nucleic Acid ChemistryJohn Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2000); and Agrawal, ed., Protocolsfor Oligonucleotides and Analogs, Synthesis and Properties Humana PressInc., New Jersey, 1993)

It is to be understood that the inventions are not limited to theparticular methodology, protocols, constructs, and reagents describedherein and as such may vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the presentinvention, which will be limited only by the appended claims. As usedherein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and“the” include plural reference unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment” is a reference to one or more such peptides andincludes equivalents thereof now known or later developed. Unlessdefined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein havethe same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in theart to which the inventions belong. Although any methods, devices, andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devicesand materials are now described. It is intended that reference to arange of numbers disclosed herein (for example 1 to 12) alsoincorporates reference to all related numbers within that range (forexample, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9.5, 10, 11 and 12) andalso any range of rational numbers within that range (for example 2 to8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of allranges expressly disclosed herein are expressly disclosed. These areonly examples of what is specifically intended and all possiblecombinations of numerical values between the lowest value and thehighest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated inthis application in a similar manner. The following terms have thefollowing meanings when used herein.

Amino acids used in compounds provided herein (e.g. peptides andproteins) can be genetically encoded amino acids, naturally occurringnon-genetically encoded amino acids, or synthetic amino acids. Both L-and D-enantiomers of any of the above can be utilized in the compounds.The following abbreviations may be used herein for the followinggenetically encoded amino acids (and residues thereof): alanine (Ala,A); arginine (Arg, R); asparagine (Asn, N); aspartic acid (Asp, D);cyteine (Cys, C); glycine (Gly, G); glutamic acid (Glu, E); glutamine(Gln, Q); histidine (His, H); isoleucine (Ile, I); leucine (Leu, L);lysine (Lys, K); methionine (Met, M); phenylalanine (Phe, F); proline(Pro, P); serine (Ser, S); threonine (Thr, T); tryptophan (Trp, W);tyrosine (Tyr, Y); and valine (Val, V).

Certain commonly encountered amino acids that are not geneticallyencoded and that can be present in active compounds of the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, β-alanine (b-Ala) and other omega-aminoacids such as 3-aminopropionic acid (Dap), 2,3-diaminopropionic acid(Dpr, Z), 4-aminobutyric acid and so forth; α-aminoisobutyric acid(Aib); ε-aminohexanoic acid (Aha); δ-aminovaleric acid (Ava);methylglycine (MeGly); ornithine (Orn); citrulline (Cit); t-butylalanine(t-BuA); t-butylglycine (t-BuG); N-methylisoleucine (Melle);phenylglycine (Phg); cyclohexylalanine (Cha); norleucine (Nle, J);2-naphthylalanine (2-Nal); 4-chlorophenylalanine (Phe(4-Cl));2-fluorophenylalanine (Phe(2-F)); 3-fluorophenylalanine (Phe(3-F));4-fluorophenylalanine (Phe(4-F)); penicillamine (Pen);1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (Tic);beta.-2-thienylalanine (Thi); methionine sulfoxide (MSO); homoarginine(hArg); N-acetyl lysine (AcLys); 2,3-diaminobutyric acid (Dab);2,3-diaminobutyric acid (Dbu); p-aminophenylalanine (Phe(pNH₂));N-methyl valine (MeVal); homocysteine (hCys);3-benzothiazol-2-yl-alanine (BztAla, B); and homoserine (hSer).Additional amino acid analogs contemplated include phosphoserine,phosphothreonine, phosphotyrosine, hydroxyproline,gamma-carboxyglutamate, hippuric acid, octahydroindole-2-carboxylicacid, statine, α-methyl-alanine, para-benzoyl-phenylalanine,propargylglycine, and sarcosine. Peptides that are encompassed withinthe scope of the invention can have any of the foregoing amino acids inthe L- or D-configuration, or any other amino acid described herein orknown in the art, whether currently or in the future, whilst retaining abiological activity.

Amino acids that are substitutable for each other generally residewithin similar classes or subclasses. As known to one of skill in theart, amino acids can be placed into different classes dependingprimarily upon the chemical and physical properties of the amino acidside chain. For example, some amino acids are generally considered to behydrophilic or polar amino acids and others are considered to behydrophobic or nonpolar amino acids. Polar amino acids include aminoacids having acidic, basic or hydrophilic side chains and nonpolar aminoacids include amino acids having aromatic or hydrophobic side chains.Nonpolar amino acids may be further subdivided to include, among others,aliphatic amino acids. The definitions of the classes of amino acids asused herein are as follows:

“Nonpolar Amino Acid” refers to an amino acid having a side chain thatis uncharged at physiological pH, that is not polar and that isgenerally repelled by aqueous solution. Examples of genetically encodedhydrophobic amino acids include Ala, Ile, Leu, Met, Trp, Tyr and Val.Examples of non-genetically encoded nonpolar amino acids include t-BuA,Cha and Nle.

“Aromatic Amino Acid” refers to a nonpolar amino acid having a sidechain containing at least one ring having a conjugated π-electron system(aromatic group). The aromatic group may be further substituted withsubstituent groups such as alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, hydroxyl, sulfonyl,nitro and amino groups, as well as others. Examples of geneticallyencoded aromatic amino acids include phenylalanine, tyrosine andtryptophan. Commonly encountered non-genetically encoded aromatic aminoacids include phenylglycine, 2-naphthylalanine, β-2-thienylalanine,3-benzothiazol-2-yl-alanine, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylicacid, 4-chlorophenylalanine, 2-fluorophenylalanine,3-fluorophenylalanine and 4-fluorophenylalanine.

“Aliphatic Amino Acid” refers to a nonpolar amino acid having asaturated or unsaturated straight chain, branched or cyclic hydrocarbonside chain. Examples of genetically encoded aliphatic amino acidsinclude Ala, Leu, Val and Ile. Examples of non-encoded aliphatic aminoacids include Nle.

“Polar Amino Acid” refers to a hydrophilic amino acid having a sidechain that is charged or uncharged at physiological pH and that has abond in which the pair of electrons shared in common by two atoms isheld more closely by one of the atoms. Polar amino acids are generallyhydrophilic, meaning that they have an amino acid having a side chainthat is attracted by aqueous solution. Examples of genetically encodedpolar amino acids include asparagine, cysteine, glutamine, lysine andserine. Examples of non-genetically encoded polar amino acids includecitrulline, homocysteine, N-acetyl lysine and methionine sulfoxide.

“Acidic Amino Acid” refers to a hydrophilic amino acid having a sidechain pK value of less than 7. Acidic amino acids typically havenegatively charged side chains at physiological pH due to loss of ahydrogen ion. Examples of genetically encoded acidic amino acids includeaspartic acid (aspartate) and glutamic acid (glutamate).

“Basic Amino Acid” refers to a hydrophilic amino acid having a sidechain pK value of greater than 7. Basic amino acids typically havepositively charged side chains at physiological pH due to associationwith hydronium ion. Examples of genetically encoded basic amino acidsinclude arginine, lysine and histidine. Examples of non-geneticallyencoded basic amino acids include ornithine, 2,3-diaminopropionic acid,2,4-diaminobutyric acid and homoarginine.

“Ionizable Amino Acid” refers to an amino acid that can be charged at aphysiological pH. Such ionizable amino acids include acidic and basicamino acids, for example, D-aspartic acid, D-glutamic acid, D-histidine,D-arginine, D-lysine, D-hydroxylysine, D-ornithine, L-aspartic acid,L-glutamic acid, L-histidine, L-arginine, L-lysine, L-hydroxylysine orL-ornithine.

As will be appreciated by those having skill in the art, the aboveclassifications are not absolute. Several amino acids exhibit more thanone characteristic property, and can therefore be included in more thanone category. For example, tyrosine has both a nonpolar aromatic ringand a polar hydroxyl group. Thus, tyrosine has several characteristicsthat could be described as nonpolar, aromatic and polar. However, thenonpolar ring is dominant and so tyrosine is generally considered to benonpolar. Similarly, in addition to being able to form disulfidelinkages, cysteine also has nonpolar character. Thus, while not strictlyclassified as a hydrophobic or nonpolar amino acid, in many instancescysteine can be used to confer hydrophobicity or nonpolarity to apeptide.

In some embodiments, polar amino acids contemplated by the presentinvention include, for example, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid,cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, histidine, homocysteine, lysine,hydroxylysine, ornithine, serine, threonine, and structurally relatedamino acids. In one embodiment the polar amino is an ionizable aminoacid such as arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, histidine,hydroxylysine, lysine, or ornithine.

Examples of polar or nonpolar amino acid residues that can be utilizedinclude, for example, alanine, valine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine,phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine and the like.

As used herein, a “cardiovascular disorder” is any cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition that involves or may be characterized atleast in part by oxidative stress and/or ischemia.

During physiological processes molecules undergo chemical changesinvolving reducing and oxidizing reactions. A molecule with an unpairedelectron can combine with a molecule capable of donating an electron.The donation of an electron is termed as oxidation whereas the gainingof an electron is called reduction. Reduction and oxidation can renderthe reduced molecule unstable and make it free to react with othermolecules to cause damage to cellular and sub-cellular components suchas membranes, proteins and DNA. As used herein, “oxidative stress”refers to excessive production of reactive oxidant species (ROS)resulting in oxidative stress/nitrosative stress, a process that is animportant mediator of cell damage. Important aspects of redox imbalancethat triggers the activity of a number of signaling pathways includingtranscription factors activity, a process that is ubiquitous incardiovascular disease related to ischemia/reperfusion injury, forexample. Reactive oxidant species can originate from a variety ofsources such as nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS), xanthine oxidases(XO), the cyclooxygenases, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NAD(P)H) oxidase isoforms and metal-catalyzed reactions. These includefree radicals such as superoxide anion (O₂.⁻), hydroxyl radical (HO.),lipid radicals (ROO⁻) and nitric oxide (NO). Other reactive oxygenspecies, for example, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻)and hypochlorous acid (HOCl), although are not free radicals but haveoxidizing effects that contribute to oxidative stress.

“Ischemia” is a condition that occurs when blood flow and oxygen arediminished in a particular part of the body. Cardiac ischemia is thename for this condition when the heart is the body part targeted.Ischemic heart disease is a term that covers heart issues caused bynarrowing of the arteries. With arteries narrowed, less blood and oxygenare able to reach the heart muscle. This is also referred to as coronaryartery disease and coronary heart disease and may ultimately lead toheart attack. Ischemia often causes chest pain or discomfort known asangina pectoris. People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodesof silent ischemia.

Cardiovascular disorders include, for example, heart failure (includingcongestive heart failures and other forms of heart failure notedanywhere herein) and acute coronary syndromes (including Q-wave MI,STEMI, non-Q-wave MI, NSTEMI and unstable angina) and ischemic heartdisease. Cardiovascular disorders also include diseases, disorders andconditions involving the heart or blood vessels in which Type-Bnatriuretic peptide is elevated within a clinically relevant timeframe.Cardiovascular disorders also include diseases, disorders and conditionsinvolving the heart or blood vessels in which one or more of cardiactroponin I, cardiac troponin T, creatine kinase-MB, Type-A and/or Type-Bnatriuretic peptide signal peptides or signal peptide fragments, uricacid, C-reactive protein and/or osteoprotegerin is/are present inincreased levels in clinically relevant timeframes. Other cardiovasculardisorders include non-Q-wave cardiac necrosis.

As used herein, a patient suffering from “unstable angina” denotes apatient who has one or more of the following symptoms and signs: (1) STsegment depression, as measured by ECG; (2) slightly elevated troponin Tlevels, of no more than 0.1 ng/ml; or (3) slightly elevated troponin Ilevels, of no more than 0.4 ng/ml. In contrast to Q-wave MI, CK-MB andLDH levels are typically not elevated during unstable angina. Also incontrast to Q-wave MI, a patient with unstable angina typically has noST segment elevation nor any pathological Q-wave. Finally, unstableangina can be diagnosed solely on the basis of chest pain, typicallychest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes, chest pain at rest, or chestpain following minimal exertion and that is poorly responsive tosublingual nitrates. Alternatively, even in the absence of chest pain, apatient can be diagnosed with unstable angina if previously diagnosedwith ischemic heart disease or is considered to be at strong risk fordeveloping ischemic heart disease, and who presents with nausea,shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness. Furthermore, theskilled artisan will understand that the diagnosis of unstable angina isone of medical judgment.

As used herein, “ischemic heart disease” denotes disease of cardiactissue that results from a decreased oxygen supply to the cardiac tissuethat is due to reduced coronary artery blood flow. Typically, thisreduced blood flow results from the partial or complete obstruction ofblood vessels that service the heart. A diagnosis of ischemic heartdisease can be based on the presence of chronic, stable angina, elicitedby exercise (also known as “exertional angina”) that is relieved bysublingual nitrates. A diagnosis of ischemic heart disease also can bebased on an ECG reading that is consistent with ischemic heart disease,such as one exhibiting ST segment deviations and/or T wave inversions.

As used herein, “Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent” inone aspect refers to a fragment of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefrom any species, including murine, bovine, ovine, porcine, equine,avian, and preferably human, in native sequence or in a geneticallyengineered form, and from any source, whether natural, synthetic, orrecombinantly produced, having one or more of the biologic ortherapeutic activities described herein. The term “Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent” also includes pharmaceutically acceptablesalts and prodrugs, and prodrugs of the salts, polymorphs, hydrates,solvates, biologically-active fragments, biologically active variantsand stereoisomers of the naturally-occurring any Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment, as well as agonist and mimetic variants of anynaturally-occurring Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment andactive analogs (e.g., peptides containing, for example, specificdeletions or other modifications that maintain biological activity) andpolypeptide fusions thereof. Fusions comprising additional amino acidsat the amino terminus, carboxyl terminus, or both, are encompassed bythe term “Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent.” Fusionscomprising additional amino acids at the carboxyl terminus of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment, or other Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent (including, for example, variants and analogs ofa Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment), are preferred. ExemplaryType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents include BNPsp(17-26)(SEQ ID NO:1), BNPsp(17-25) (SEQ ID NO:2), BNPsp(17-24) (SEQ ID NO:3),BNPsp(17-23) (SEQ ID NO:4), BNPsp(17-22) (SEQ ID NO:5), BNPsp(17-21)(SEQ ID NO:6), BNPsp(17-20) (SEQ.ID.NO:7), BNPsp(17-19) (SEQ.ID.NO:8),and BNPsp(17-18) (SEQ.ID.NO:9). Other Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents include peptides according any of Formula I, Formula II,Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and FormulaVIII.

The art is familiar with modification of peptides, for example, bypolymer conjugation or glycosylation. The term “Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent” includes modified peptides includingpeptides conjugated to a polymer such as PEG, and may be comprised ofone or more additional derivitizations of cysteine, lysine, or otherresidues. In addition, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent may comprise a linker or polymer, wherein the amino acid to whichthe linker or polymer is conjugated may be a non-natural amino acidaccording to the present invention, or may be conjugated to a naturallyencoded amino acid utilizing techniques known in the art such ascoupling to lysine or cysteine.

Substitutions, deletions, modifications or additions of amino acidsdescribed herein in reference to compounds of the invention, forexample, SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or other peptides asdefined, for example, in Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV,Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and Formula VIII, are intended toalso refer to substitutions, deletions, modifications or additions incorresponding positions in fusions, variants, fragments, conjugations,etc.

The term “Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent” alsoencompasses homodimers, heterodimers, homomultimers, and heteromultimersthat are linked, including but not limited to those linked directly vianon-naturally encoded amino acid side chains, either to the same ordifferent non-naturally encoded amino acid side chains, tonaturally-encoded amino acid side chains, or indirectly via a linker.Exemplary linkers include small organic compounds, water solublepolymers of a variety of lengths such as poly(ethylene glycol) orpolydextran or polypeptides of various lengths.

The term “linker” is used herein to refer to groups or bonds thatnormally are formed as the result of a chemical reaction and typicallyare covalent linkages. Hydrolytically stable linkages means that thelinkages are substantially stable in water and do not react with waterat useful Ph values, including but not limited to, under physiologicalconditions for an extended period of time, perhaps even indefinitely.Hydrolytically unstable or degradable linkages mean that the linkagesare degradable in water or in aqueous solutions, including for example,blood. Enzymatically unstable or degradable linkages mean that thelinkage can be degraded by one or more enzymes. As understood in theart, PEG and related polymers may include degradable linkages in thepolymer backbone or in the linker group between the polymer backbone andone or more of the terminal functional groups of the polymer molecule.For example, ester linkages formed by the reaction of PEG carboxylicacids or activated PEG carboxylic acids with alcohol groups on abiologically active agent generally hydrolyze under physiologicalconditions to release the agent. Other hydrolytically degradablelinkages include, but are not limited to, carbonate linkages; iminelinkages resulted from reaction of an amine and an aldehyde; phosphateester linkages formed by reacting an alcohol with a phosphate group;hydrozone linkages which are reaction product of a hydrazide and analdehyde; acetal linkages that are the reaction product of an aldehydeand an alcohol; orthoester linkages that are the reaction product of aformate and an alcohol; peptide linkages formed by an amine group,including but not limited to, at an end of a polymer such as PEG, and acarboxyl group of a peptide; and oligonucleotide linkages formed by aphosphoramidite group, including but not limited to, at the end of apolymer, and a 5′ hydroxyl group of an oligonucleotide.

The term “active,” “biologically active” or “biologically active agent”when used herein means any substance which can affect any physical orbiochemical properties of a biological system, pathway, molecule, orinteraction relating to an organism, including but not limited to,viruses, bacteria, bacteriophage, transposons, prions, insects, fungi,plants, animals, and humans. In particular, as used herein, biologicallyactive molecules include, but are not limited to, any substance intendedfor cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of cardiovasculardisorder in humans or other animals, or to otherwise enhance physical ormental well-being of humans or animals.

As used herein, the term “water soluble polymer” refers to any polymerthat is soluble in aqueous solvents. Linkage of water soluble polymersto a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g., Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragments, can result in changes including,but not limited to, increased or modulated serum half-life, or increasedor modulated therapeutic half-life relative to the unmodified form,modulated immunogenicity, modulated physical association characteristicssuch as aggregation and multimer formation, altered receptor binding,and altered receptor dimerization or multimerization. The water solublepolymer may or may not have its own biological activity, and may beutilized as a linker for attaching Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents, e.g., Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragments, toother substances, including but not limited to one or more Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, e.g., Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragments, or one or more biologically active molecules.Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene glycol,polyethylene glycol propionaldehyde, mono C1-C10 alkoxy or aryloxyderivatives thereof (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,714),monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinylalcohol, polyamino acids, divinylether maleic anhydride,N-(2-Hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide, dextran, dextran derivativesincluding dextran sulfate, polypropylene glycol, polypropyleneoxide/ethylene oxide copolymer, polyoxyethylated polyol, heparin,heparin fragments, polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, glycans, celluloseand cellulose derivatives, including but not limited to methylcelluloseand carboxymethyl cellulose, starch and starch derivatives,polypeptides, polyalkylene glycol and derivatives thereof, copolymers ofpolyalkylene glycols and derivatives thereof, polyvinyl ethyl ethers,and alpha-beta-poly[(2-hydroxyethyl)-DL-aspartamide, and the like, ormixtures thereof. Examples of such water soluble polymers include, butare not limited to, polyethylene glycol and serum albumin.

As used herein, the term “polyalkylene glycol” or “poly(alkene glycol)”refers to polyethylene glycol (poly(ethylene glycol)), polypropyleneglycol, polybutylene glycol, and derivatives thereof. The term“polyalkylene glycol” and/or “polyethylene glycol” encompasses bothlinear and branched polymers and average molecular weights of between0.1 kDa and 100 kDa or more. Other exemplary embodiments are listed, forexample, in commercial supplier catalogs, such as ShearwaterCorporation's catalog “Polyethylene Glycol and Derivatives forBiomedical Applications” (2001).

As used herein, the term “modified serum half-life” means an increasedcirculating half-life of a modified Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents, e.g., a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment,relative to its non-modified form. Serum half-life is measured by takingblood samples at various time points after administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g., a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment, and determining the concentration of thatmolecule in each sample. Correlation of the serum concentration withtime allows calculation of the serum half-life. Increased serumhalf-life desirably has at least about two-fold, but a smaller increasemay be useful, for example where it enables a satisfactory dosingregimen or avoids a toxic effect. In some embodiments, the increase isat least about three-fold, at least about five-fold, or at least aboutten-fold or more.

The term “modified therapeutic half-life” as used herein means anincrease in the half-life of the therapeutically effective amount of amodified Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g., aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment, relative to its non-modifiedform. Therapeutic half-life is measured by measuring pharmacokineticand/or pharmacodynamic properties of the molecule at various time pointsafter administration. Increased therapeutic half-life desirably enablesa particular beneficial dosing regimen, a particular beneficial totaldose, or avoids an undesired effect. In some embodiments, the increasedtherapeutic half-life results from increased potency, increased ordecreased binding of the modified molecule to its target, increased ordecreased breakdown of the molecule by enzymes such as proteases, or anincrease or decrease in another parameter or mechanism of action of thenon-modified molecule.

The term “isolated,” when applied to a peptide, denotes that the peptideis free of at least some of the cellular or other biological componentswith which it is associated in the natural state, or that the peptidehas been concentrated to a level greater than the concentration of itsin vivo or in vitro production. It can be in a homogeneous orsubstantially homogenous state. Isolated substances can be in either adry or semi-dry state, or in solution, including but not limited to, anaqueous solution. It can be a component of a pharmaceutical compositionthat comprises additional pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/orexcipients. Purity and homogeneity are typically determined usinganalytical chemistry techniques such as polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography, for example.

By “substantially pure” is meant a degree of purity of total Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide agent, e.g., BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1), tototal protein where there is at least 70% Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide agent, more preferably at least 80%, and even more preferablyincreasing to at least 90%, 95% or 99%. A particularly preferred purityis at least 95%. By “essentially pure” is meant that the composition isat least 90% or more pure for the desired Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide agent. A peptide which is the predominant species present in apreparation is also substantially purified.

The term “effective amount” as used herein refers to that amount of theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent being administered thatwill relieve to some extent one or more of the symptoms of the disease,condition or disorder being treated. Compositions containing the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents described herein can beadministered for prophylactic, enhancing, and/or therapeutic treatments.

As used herein, “subject” refers to any mammal, including humans,domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or pet animals, such asdogs, horses, cats, sheep, pigs, cows, etc. The preferred mammal hereinis a human, including adults, children, and the elderly. Preferredsports animals are horses and dogs. Preferred pet animals are dogs andcats.

As used herein, “preventing” means preventing in whole or in part,ameliorating or controlling, reducing, lessening, or decreasing, orretarding or halting.

As used herein, a “therapeutically effective amount” in reference to thecompounds or compositions of the instant invention refers to the amountsufficient to induce a desired biological, pharmaceutical, ortherapeutic result. That result can be alleviation of one or more of thesigns, symptoms, or causes of a disease or disorder or condition, or anyother desired alteration of a biological system. In the presentinvention, the result will involve the treatment, prevention and/orreduction of one or more of symptoms of a cardiovascular disorder,including, for example, an acute coronary syndrome, a heart failure, anischemic heart disease, and angina and any cardiovascular disorder,disease, or condition that involves ischemia and/or oxidative stress.

As used herein, the terms “treating” and “treatment” refer to boththerapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures.

“Analogs” or “peptide analogs” refer to the compounds with propertiesanalogous to those of the template peptide and may be non-peptide drugs.“Peptidomimetics” (also known as “mimetic peptides”), which includepeptide-based compounds, also include such non-peptide based compoundssuch as peptide analogs. Peptidomimetics that are structurally similarto therapeutically useful peptides may be used to produce an equivalentor enhanced therapeutic or prophylactic effect. Generally,peptidomimetics are structurally identical or similar to a paradigmpolypeptide (i.e., a polypeptide that has a biological orpharmacological function or activity), but can also have one or morepeptide linkages optionally replaced by a linkage selected from thegroup consisting of, for example, —CH2NH—, —CH2S—, —CH2-CH2-, —CH═CH—(cis and trans), —OOCH2-, —CH(OH)CH2-, and —CH2SO—. The mimetic can beeither entirely composed of natural amino acids, or non-naturalanalogues of amino acids, or, is a chimeric molecule of partly naturalpeptide amino acids and partly non-natural analogs of amino acids. Themimetic can also comprise any amount of natural amino acid conservativesubstitutions as long as such substitutions also do not substantiallyalter mimetic activity.

In general, the term “peptide” refers to any polymer of two or moreindividual amino acids (whether or not naturally occurring) linked viapeptide bonds, as occur when the carboxyl carbon atom of the carboxylicacid group bonded to the alpha-carbon of one amino acid (or amino acidresidue) becomes covalently bound to the amino nitrogen atom of theamino group bonded to the alpha-carbon of an adjacent amino acid. Thesepeptide bond linkages, and the atoms comprising them (i.e., alpha-carbonatoms, carboxyl carbon atoms (and their substituent oxygen atoms), andamino nitrogen atoms (and their substituent hydrogen atoms)) form the“polypeptide backbone” of the protein. In addition, as used herein, theterms “polypeptide” and “peptide” may be used interchangeably.Similarly, protein fragments, analogs, derivatives, and variants are maybe referred to herein as “peptides” or “peptide agents.”. The term“fragment” of a peptide refers to a polypeptide comprising fewer thanall of the amino acid residues of the peptide.

As used herein, “simultaneously” is used to mean that the one or moreagents of the invention are administered concurrently, whereas the term“in combination” is used to mean they are administered, if notsimultaneously or in physical combination, then “sequentially” within atimeframe that they both are available to act therapeutically. Thus,administration “sequentially” may permit one agent to be administeredwithin minutes (for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) minutesor a matter of hours, days, weeks or months after the other providedthat both the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent andanother cardiovascular therapeutic agent, for example, are concurrentlypresent in effective amounts. The time delay between administration oradministrations of the components will vary depending on the exactnature of the components, the interaction therebetween, and theirrespective half-lives.

Type-B Natriuretic Signal Peptide Fragment Agents

Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents of the inventiondescribed herein are capable of modulating one or more of the symptomsof a cardiovascular disorder. Preferably, the cardiovascular disorder isan acute coronary syndrome, but others are intended as described herein.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, include the following peptides:

LHLAFLGGRS (SEQ.ID.NO: 1) LHLAFLGGR (SEQ.ID.NO: 2) LHLAFLGG(SEQ.ID.NO: 3) LHLAFLG (SEQ.ID.NO: 4) LHLAFL (SEQ.ID.NO: 5) LHLAF(SEQ.ID.NO: 6) LHLA (SEQ.ID.NO: 7) LHL (SEQ.ID.NO: 8) LH (SEQ.ID.NO: 9)

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula I:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇ X₈

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro,Ala, Arg or Ser; X₇ is Arg, Gln, Asn or Gly; and X₈ is Thr or Gly.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula H:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro,Ala, Arg or Ser; and X₇ is Arg, Gln, Asn or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₇ is Lys, Gln, Asn or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₆can also be Gly.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula III:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; and X₆ isPro, Ala, Arg or Ser; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula IV:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ is X₅

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; and X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; providedthat

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula V:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; and X₄ isNorleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg;

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;

where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also beLeu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VI:

L H X₁ X₂ X₃

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; and X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, and X₃ can also be Phe;

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₃ can alsobe Phe; and

where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₂can also be Ala.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VII:

L H X₁ X₂

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; and X₂ is Val,Leu, Ile or Gly; provided that

where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla; and

where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu.

Compounds of the invention, which in a non-limiting preferred embodimentare isolated or substantially pure, also include peptides according tothe following Formula VIII:

L H X₁

wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly.

Included in the scope of the invention are biologically and/ortherapeutically active analogs and conservative variants of thesecompounds, including truncations thereof, preferably C-terminaltruncations. For example, in the above peptides shown as SEQ.ID.NO:1-9and in Formulae I-VIII, any one or more of the Leucines (L) can besubstituted with Isoleucine (I), with D-leucine or D-isoleucine, or withtert-leucine, norleucine, L-allo-isoleucine, D-allo-isoleucine,D-tert-leucine and D-norleucine, and/or the histidine can be substitutedwith any non-naturally occurring amino acid that has or is prepared tohave a side chain terminating with an imidazole ring.

In one non-limiting embodiment, one or more of the amino acids of thepeptides within the scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9 andsequences within Formulae I-VIII, may be in the L- or D-configuration.In other embodiments, one or more of the amino acids of the peptideswithin the scope of the invention are naturally-occurringnon-genetically coded amino acids. In still other embodiments, one ormore of the amino acids of the peptides within the scope of theinvention are amino acid analogs or synthetic amino acids.

In another non-limiting embodiment, the N-terminal Leucine (orIsoleucine D-leucine, D-isoleucine, tert-leucine, norleucine,L-allo-isoleucine, D-allo-isoleucine, D-tert-leucine or D-norleucine) ofthe peptides within the scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9and sequences within Formulae I-VIII, may be may be modified to containa formyl group, a group comprising a formyl group, an ester of acarboxylic acid (preferably an aldehyde ester, e.g., a carboxyethylgroup, a carboxymethyl group, etc.), or a group comprising a an ester ofa carboxylic acid. Modifications with formyl, carboxyethyl, andcarboxymethyl groups are presently preferred.

In another embodiment, one or more the amino acids in compounds withinthe scope of the invention, including SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9 and sequenceswithin Formulae I-VIII, are substituted for another amino acid from asimilar amino acid class or subclass, based primarily upon the chemicaland physical properties of the amino acid side chain. For example, oneor more hydrophilic or polar amino acids can be substituted for anotherhydrophilic or polar amino acid. Likewise, one or more hydrophobic ornonpolar amino acids can be substituted for another hydrophobic ornonpolar amino acid. In making such substitutions, polar amino acids canbe further subdivided into amino acids having acidic, basic orhydrophilic side chains and nonpolar amino acids can be furthersubdivided amino acids having aromatic or hydrophobic side chains.Nonpolar amino acids may be further subdivided to include, among others,aliphatic amino acids.

Also within the scope of the invention are compounds of the inventionthat have been modified to improve their biopharmaceutical properties.In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention are modified, forexample, to provide increased stability, increased resistance toproteolytic inactivation, decreased to nonexistent immunogenicity,increased circulatory lives, including modified serum half-lives andmodified therapeutic half-lives, and low toxicity. Methods by which thecompounds of the invention can be modified include, for example, byPEGylation, by chemical derivitization, and by fusion or conjugationwith peptides or lipids. Modified compounds include modified Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, including, for example,modified BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1), and modified analogs, variants(e.g., conservative variants) and truncations thereof. Other embodimentsinclude peptides selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9 that have beenmodified, and peptides according to Formula I, Formula II, Formula III,Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and/or Formula VIII thathas been modified, and active analogs, variants (e.g., conservativevariants) and truncations thereof that have been modified.

This invention envisions prodrug forms of the therapeutic peptides ofthe invention. A “prodrug” is a modified form of a therapeutic peptidethat includes a reversible chemical modification that can reliablyremoved to convert the prodrug to the parent peptide through either anenzymatic or nonenzymatic catalytic reaction under physiologicalconditions following delivery to a patient. Such modifications canenhance chemical stability, alter aqueous solubility, extend biologicalhalf-life, broaden therapeutic indices, improve pharmacodynamics, and/orimprove bioavailability, for example, while preserving thepharmacological properties of the parent therapeutic peptide. Suchmodifications can also allow the parent peptide to be released after itreaches the biological compartment where it can exert the desiredeffect. A “prodrug” is a compound that may include one or morespecialized non-toxic protective groups used in a transient manner toalter or to eliminate certain limiting properties in the parent peptide,which protective group(s) can be removed by enzymatic or chemicalcleavage. Any suitable protective group(s) can be employed to generate apeptide prodrug of the invention. Such specialized modifications includeinclusion of one or more amino acid residues at either or both theamino- and/or carboxy-terminus of the parent peptide. Cleavage sitesthat allow for the efficient in vivo removal of additional N- orC-terminal amino acids or amino acid sequences are preferably includedin such prodrug molecules. Modifications other than the addition of oneor more N- and/or C-terminal amino acid residues are also envisioned.For example, diketopiperazine and diketomorpholine (DKP and DMP)strategies for prodrug conversion may be used (see, e.g., Application ofPeptide-Badsed Prodrug Chemistry in Drug Development, Springer, Ed. De,Arnab (2012)), where prodrugs slowly convert to the parent drug atphysiological conditions driven by the compounds' inherent chemicalinstability, without the need of any enzymatic cleavage. To improvestability, parent peptides of the invention can be protected againstexopeptidase-mediated hydrolysis by bioreversibly masking N- and/orC-terminal amino acids.

Examples of prodrugs of the invention are those wherein the parentpeptide includes one or more additional amino acid residues appended tothe N- and/or C-terminus of the parent peptide. The compounds of theinvention also include prodrug forms of the agents of the invention. Forexample, prodrug forms include those having one to 16 amino acidresidues appended to the N-terminus of, for example, the peptideBNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1). Examples of such prodrug forms include thosethat have one or more of the amino acids listed in Table 1 linked to theparent peptide via a suitable bond. Representative prodrug embodimentsinclude residues 1-16, 2-16, 3-16, 4-16, 5-16, 6-16, 7-16, 8-16, 9-16,10-16, 11-16, 12-16, 13-16, 14-16, and 15-16 linked to the N-terminusof, for example, BNPsp(17-26), or any of the other peptides fromSEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9, and peptides according to Formula I, Formula II,Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and/orFormula VIII, and active analogs and variants (e.g., conservativevariants) of the foregoing.

BNPsp Amino Acid Residue Position Amino Acid at Residue Position 1 M 2 D(or G or E) 3 P (or L) 4 Q (or K or R or C or L) 5 T (or K or M or A) 6A (or V) 7 P (or L 8 S (or L or P) 9 R (or Q) 10 A (or T or M) 11 L (orI or V) 12 L 13 L (or F) 14 L 15 L 16 F 17 L 18 H (or N or Y) 19 L 20 A(or S) 21 F (or P or L 22 L 23 G 24 G (or C) 25 R (or H) 26 S (or P)

Further examples of a prodrug according to the invention include thosewherein an amino group of parent peptide is acylated, alkylated,phosphorylated, eicosanoylated, alanylated, pentylaminocarbonylated,(5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)methoxycarbonylated,tetrahydrofuranylated, pyrrolidyl methylated, pivaloyloxymethylated ortert-butylated, and the like; a compound wherein a hydroxy group of theparent peptide is acylated, alkylated, phosphorylated, acetylated,palmitoylated, propanoylated, pivaloylated, succinylated, fumarylated,alanylated or dimethylaminomethylcarbonylated, and the like; and acompound wherein a carboxy group of the parent peptide is esterified oramidated (e.g., ethyl esterified, phenyl esterified, carboxymethylesterified, dimethylaminomethyl esterified, pivaloyloxymethylesterified, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl esterified, phthalidyl esterified,(5-methyl-2-exo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)methyl esterified,cyclohexyloxycarbonylethyl esterified or methylamidated, and the like)and the like.

Other prodrugs forms are also envisioned, including those containingchemical modifications to one or more amino acids residues that are notpositioned at the N- or C-terminus of the parent peptide. As those inthe art will appreciate, any suitable chemical modification that can beremoved under physiological conditions to yield a pharmaceuticallyactive form of a compound of the invention can be utilized.

Other embodiments include peptidiomimetics of compounds of theinvention.

A presently preferred Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentis BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1).

Illustrations of cardioprotective activities of Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agents are provided in the below Examples.Example 1 shows the ability of Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents to improve cardiac contractility by administration ofBNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1) before and after 45 minutes of globalischemia in isolated rat heart preparations. In the in vivo sheepexperiments of Example 2, it is shown that cardiac contractile functionand troponin release, diagnostic markers of myocardial damage, areimproved by administration of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent, BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1). Example 3 describesexperiments to assess BNPsp fragment peptides of various lengths andtheir bioactivity as observed in Example 1 and referred to in Example 2.

Synthesis of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, as wellas modified Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, iscarried out using methods known in the art. Compounds of the inventionsthat are peptides, such as SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9, can be made by solid-statechemical peptide synthesis. Other compounds, such as fusion peptides,can also be made by conventional recombinant techniques using standardprocedures described in, for example, Sambrook & Maniaitis. The peptidesand other compounds of the invention may be chemically modified. Thismay enhance their resistance to peptidases and other enzymes, restrictclearance by the kidney, etc. Methods of preparing such modifiedcompounds are known in the art.

The precise sequence of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent used will depend upon its ability to ameliorate on or more of thesymptoms or effects of a cardiovascular disorder. Means for determiningsuch effects are provided in Examples 1 and 2. Other means for assessingthe utility of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent fortreatment or prevention of a cardiovascular disorder include in vitrocell culture experiments using cardiac myocyte and non-myocyte celllines, as well as in vivo and ex vivo experiments with models of cardiaccongenital disease and toxicity.

Suitable Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents for thepreparation of the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention includeLHLAFLGGRS (SEQ.ID.NO:1), LHLAFLGGR (SEQ.ID.NO:2), LHLAFLGG(SEQ.ID.NO:3), LHLAFLG (SEQ.ID.NO:4), LHLAFL (SEQ.ID.NO:5), LHLAF(SEQ.ID.NO:6), LHLA (SEQ.ID.NO:7), LHL (SEQ.ID.NO:8), and LH(SEQ.ID.NO:9). Other suitable Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagents for the preparation of the pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention include peptides within Formulae I-VIII. Other suitable Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents for the preparation of thepharmaceutical compositions are described herein, and include, forexample, analogs, variation, truncations and modifications (includingfusions) of the foregoing compounds.

Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent activity can beselected in terms of their sequence and desired activity by anyconvenient, and conventional, approach including, for example, asdescribed in the Examples below.

Homology and homologues of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagents, for example, Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragments, arediscussed herein. Such a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmenttypically has at least about 70% homology, preferably at least about80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 97% or atleast about 99% homology with the relevant sequence.

Homology may be calculated based on any method in the art. For examplethe UWGCG Package provides the BESTFIT program which can be used tocalculate homology (for example used on its default settings). ThePILEUP and BLAST algorithms can be used to calculate homology or line upsequences (typically on their default settings), for example asdescribed in Altschul S. F. (1993) J Mol Evol 36: 290-300; Altschul, S,F et al (1990) J Mol Biol 215: 403-10.

Software for performing BLAST analyses is publicly available through theNational Center for Biotechnology Information(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/). This algorithm involves firstidentifying high scoring sequence pair (HSPs) by identifying short wordsof length W in the query sequence that either match or satisfy somepositive-valued threshold score T when aligned with a word of the samelength in a database sequence. T is referred to as the neighbourhoodword score threshold (Altschul et al, supra). These initialneighbourhood word hits act as seeds for initiating searches to findHSPs containing them. The word hits are extended in both directionsalong each sequence for as far as the cumulative alignment score can beincreased. Extensions for the word hits in each direction are haltedwhen: the cumulative alignment score falls off by the quantity X fromits maximum achieved value; the cumulative score goes to zero or below,due to the accumulation of one or more negative-scoring residuealignments; or the end of either sequence is reached.

The BLAST algorithm parameters W, T and X determine the sensitivity andspeed of the alignment. The BLAST program uses as defaults a word length(W), the BLOSUM62 scoring matrix (see Henikoff and Henikoff (1992) Proc.Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 10915-10919) alignments (B) of 50, expectation(E) of 10, M=5, N=4, and a comparison of both strands.

The BLAST algorithm performs a statistical analysis of the similaritybetween two sequences; see e.g., Karlin and Altschul (1993) Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. USA 90: 5873-5787. One measure of similarity provided by theBLAST algorithm is the smallest sum probability (P(N)), which providesan indication of the probability by which a match between two amino acidsequences would occur by chance. For example, a sequence is consideredsimilar to another sequence if the smallest sum probability incomparison of the first sequence to a second sequence is less than about1, preferably less than about 0.1, more preferably less than about 0.01,and most preferably less than about 0.001.

The homologous sequence typically differs from the relevant sequence byat least about (or by no more than about) 2, 5, 10, 15, 20 moremutations (which may be substitutions, deletions or insertions). Thesemutations may be measured across any of the regions mentioned above inrelation to calculating homology.

Cardiovascular Therapeutic Agents

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)one or more other cardiovascular treatment agents. Cardiovasculartherapeutic agents include nitrates, β-blockers, calcium channelblockers (particularly for stable or unstable angina, but also for heartfailure in the case of β-blockers), diuretic agents, vasodilator agents,positive inotropes, ACE inhibitors and aldosterone antagonists, e.g.spironolactone (particularly for heart failure), blood thinningtherapeutics (e.g., aspirin, heparins, warfarins) and nitroglycerin(particularly for MI).

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, may also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)one or more anti-thrombolytic therapies (e.g., streptokinase inhibitors,anti-platelet therapeutics, such as, for example, clopidogrel).

Compositions and methods of the invention for the prevention and/ortreatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acute coronarysyndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., and relatedcardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involving ischemiaand/or oxidative stress, may also comprise administration of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in series or in combinationwith (e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation)a Type-B natriuretic peptide, including for example nesiritide, arecombinant form of Type-B natriuretic peptide.

In certain methods and compositions (including pharmaceuticalcompositions, formulations, articles of manufacture and kits) of theinvention for the prevention and/or treatment of a cardiovasculardisorder, e.g., an acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemicheart disease, etc., and related cardiovascular diseases, disorders andconditions involving ischemia and/or oxidative stress,sub-therapeutically effective amounts of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent, and one or more other cardiovascular treatmentagents are used or provided for combined administration (separately orjointly as a combined preparation) to provide a combined action that istherapeutically effective.

Thus, it will be understood that compositions and methods of theinvention for the treatment of a cardiovascular disorder, e.g., an acutecoronary syndrome, heart failure, ischemic heart disease, etc., andrelated cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions involvingischemia and/or oxidative stress, that employ a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent and another cardiovascular therapeuticagent are disclosed. A Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentmay be selected, for example, from the group consisting of BNPsp(17-26)(SEQ ID NO:1), BNPsp(17-25) (SEQ ID NO:2), BNPsp(17-24) (SEQ ID NO:3),BNPsp(17-23) (SEQ ID NO:4), BNPsp(17-22) (SEQ ID NO:5), BNPsp(17-21)(SEQ ID NO:6), BNPsp(17-20) (SEQ.ID.NO:7), BNPsp(17-19) (SEQ.ID.NO:8),and BNPsp(17-18) (SEQ.ID.NO:9). In another embodiment, a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent may be selected from the groupconsisting of a sequence according any one of Formula I, Formula II,Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, Formula VI, Formula VII and FormulaVIII. Optionally, a cardiovascular agent is selected, for example, fromthe group comprising or consisting essentially of nitrates, β-blockers,calcium channel blockers, diuretic agents, vasodilator agents, positiveinotropes, ACE inhibitors, aldosterone antagonists, nitroglycerin, bloodthinning agents, anti-thrombolytic agents, and Type-B natriureticpeptides.

Treatment of a subject as provided herein with one or more compounds orpharmaceutical compositions as described herein may comprise their acuteor sustained administration and, in the case of combinations, theirsimultaneous, separate, or sequential administration, as furtherdescribed herein.

The agents of the invention of the may be administered to a subject inneed of treatment, such as a subject with any of the diseases, disordersor conditions mentioned herein. The condition of the subject can thus beimproved. The agents may be used in the manufacture of a medicament totreat any of the diseases, disorders or conditions mentioned herein.Thus, in accordance with the invention, there are provided formulationsby which cardiovascular disorders can be treated.

A therapeutically effective amount of each of the combination partners(e.g., a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent) may be administered simultaneously,separately or sequentially and in any order. The agents may beadministered separately or as a fixed combination. When not administeredas a fixed combination, preferred methods include the sequentialadministration of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent andanother cardiovascular therapeutic agent, either or both of which areprovided in amounts or doses that are less that those used when theagent or agents are administered alone, i.e., when they are notadministered in combination, either physically or in the course oftreatment. Such lesser amounts of agents administered are typically fromabout one-twentieth to about one-tenth the amount or amounts of theagent when administered alone, and may be about one-eighth the amount,about one-sixth the amount, about one-fifth the amount, about one-fourththe amount, about one-third the amount, and about one-half the amountwhen administered alone. Preferably, the agents are administeredsequentially within at least about one-half hour of each other. Theagents may also be administered within about one hour of each other,within about one day to about one week of each other, or as otherwisedeemed appropriate.

The agents of the invention of the may be administered to a subject inneed of treatment, such as a subject with an acute coronary syndrome orany of the diseases or conditions mentioned herein. The condition of thesubject can thus be improved. The compounds may thus be used in thetreatment of the subject's body by therapy. They may be used in themanufacture of a medicament to treat any of the conditions mentionedherein. Thus, in accordance with the invention, there are providedformulations by which cardiotherapy and cardioprotection can bespecifically evoked.

Dosage Forms and Formulations and Administration

The compounds of the invention may be present in an isolated orsubstantially or essentially pure form. It will be understood that theproduct may be mixed with carriers or diluents which will not interferewith the intended purpose of the product and still be regarded asisolated or substantially pure. A product of the invention may also bein a substantially or essentially purified form, preferably comprisingor consisting essentially of about 80%, 85%, or 90%, e.g. at least about95%, at least about 98% or at least about 99% of the compound or drymass of the preparation.

Depending on the intended route of administration, the pharmaceuticalproducts, pharmaceutical compositions, combined preparations andmedicaments of the invention may, for example, take the form ofsolutions, suspensions, installations, sustained release formulations,or powders, and typically contain about 0.1%-95% of activeingredient(s), preferably about 0.2%-70%. Other suitable formulationsinclude injection- and infusion-based formulations. Other usefulformulations include sustained release preparations, including, forexample, controlled, slow or delayed release preparations.

Aspects of the invention include controlled or other doses, dosageforms, formulations, compositions and/or devices containing one or moreType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, wherein the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents are, for example, one or moreType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragments. The present inventionincludes, for example, doses and dosage forms for at least oraladministration, transdermal delivery, topical application, suppositorydelivery, transmucosal delivery, injection (including subcutaneousadministration, subdermal administration, intramuscular administration,depot administration, and intravenous administration, including deliveryvia bolus, slow intravenous injection, and intravenous drip), infusiondevices (including implantable infusion devices, both active andpassive), administration by inhalation or insufflation, buccaladministration and sublingual administration. It will be appreciatedthat any of the dosage forms, compositions, formulations or devicesdescribed herein particularly for intravenous administration may beutilized, where applicable or desirable, in a dosage form, composition,formulation or device for administration by any of the other routesherein contemplated or commonly employed. For example, a dose or dosescould be given parenterally using a dosage form suitable for parenteraladministration which may incorporate features or compositions describedin respect of dosage forms suitable for oral administration, or bedelivered in an sustained dosage form, such as a modified release,extended release, delayed release, slow release or repeat action dosageform.

Preferably the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents of theinvention are combined with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent to produce a pharmaceutical composition. Suitable carriers anddiluents include isotonic saline solutions, for examplephosphate-buffered saline. Suitable diluents and excipients alsoinclude, for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, or the like,and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired substances such aswetting or emulsifying agents, stabilizing or pH buffering agents mayalso be present.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to any usefulcarriers, excipients, or stabilizers which are nontoxic to the cell ormammal being exposed thereto at the dosages and concentrations employed,and include pharmaceutical carriers that do not induce the production ofantibodies harmful to the individual receiving the composition. Suitablecarriers can be large, slowly metabolized macromolecules such asproteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids,polymeric amino acids, and amino acid copolymers. Often thephysiologically acceptable carrier is an aqueous pH buffered solution.Other examples of physiologically acceptable carriers include bufferssuch as phosphate, citrate, and other organic acids; antioxidantsincluding ascorbic acid; low molecular weight (less than about 10residues) polypeptide; proteins, such as serum albumin, gelatin, orimmunoglobulins; hydrophilic polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone;amino acids such as glycine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine or lysine;monosaccharides, disaccharides, and other carbohydrates includingglucose, mannose, or dextrins; chelating agents such as EDTA; sugaralcohols such as mannitol or sorbitol; salt-forming counterions such assodium; and/or nonionic surfactants such as Tween, polyethylene glycol(PEG), and Pluronics.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts can also be present, e.g., mineralacid salts such as hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, phosphates, sulfates,and the like; and the salts of organic acids such as acetates,propionates, malonates, benzoates, and the like.

Suitable carrier materials include any carrier or vehicle commonly usedas a base for creams, lotions, gels, emulsions, or paints for topicaladministration. Examples include emulsifying agents, inert carriersincluding hydrocarbon bases, emulsifying bases, non-toxic solvents orwater-soluble bases. Particularly suitable examples include pluronics,HPMC, CMC and other cellulose-based ingredients, lanolin, hard paraffin,liquid paraffin, soft yellow paraffin or soft white paraffin, whitebeeswax, yellow beeswax, cetostearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol,dimethicones, emulsifying waxes, isopropyl myristate, microcrystallinewax, oleyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol.

An auxiliary agent such as casein, gelatin, albumin, glue, sodiumalginate, carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxyethylcelluloseor polyvinyl alcohol may also be included in the formulation of theinvention.

The dosage forms, formulations, devices and/or compositions of theinvention may be formulated to optimize bioavailability and to maintainplasma concentrations within the therapeutic range, including forextended periods. Sustained delivery preparations, e.g., controlleddelivery preparations, also optimize the drug concentration at the siteof action and minimize periods of under and over medication, forexample.

The dosage forms, devices and/or compositions useful in the inventionmay be provided for periodic administration, including once dailyadministration, for low dose controlled and/or low dose long-lasting invivo release of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for oral administration include, butare not limited to tablets, capsules, lozenges, or like forms, or anyliquid forms such as syrups, aqueous solutions, emulsions and the like,capable of providing a therapeutically effective amount of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for transdermal administrationinclude, but are not limited to, transdermal patches, transdermalbandages, and the like. Examples of dosage forms suitable for topicaladministration of the compounds and formulations useful in the inventionare any lotion, stick, spray, ointment, paste, cream, gel, etc., whetherapplied directly to the skin or via an intermed.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for suppository administration of thecompounds and formulations useful in the invention include any soliddosage form inserted into a bodily orifice particularly those insertedrectally, vaginally and urethrally.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for transmucosal delivery of thecompounds and formulations useful in the invention include depositoriessolutions for enemas, pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams,nebulised solutions, powders and similar formulations containing inaddition to the active ingredients such carriers as are known in the artto be appropriate.

Examples of dosage of forms suitable for injection of the compounds andformulations useful in the invention include delivery via bolus such assingle or multiple administrations by intravenous injection,subcutaneous, subdermal, and intramuscular administration or oraladministration.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for depot administration of thecompounds and formulations useful in the invention include pellets orsmall cylinders of active agent or solid forms wherein the active agentis entrapped in a matrix of biodegradable polymers, microemulsions,liposomes or is microencapsulated.

Examples of infusion devices for compounds and formulations useful inthe invention include infusion pumps containing one or more Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents and/or pre-complexed Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents, at a desired amount for adesired number of doses or steady state administration, and includeimplantable drug pumps.

Examples of implantable infusion devices for compounds and formulationsuseful in the invention include any solid form in which the active agentis encapsulated within or dispersed throughout a biodegradable polymeror synthetic, polymer such as silicone, silicone rubber, silastic orsimilar polymer.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for inhalation or insufflation ofcompounds and formulations useful in the invention include compositionscomprising solutions and/or suspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable,aqueous, or organic solvents, or mixture thereof and/or powders.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for buccal administration of thecompounds and formulations useful in the invention include lozenges,tablets and the like, compositions comprising solutions and/orsuspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous, or organicsolvents, or mixtures thereof and/or powders.

Examples of dosage forms suitable for sublingual administration of thecompounds and formulations useful in the invention include lozenges,tablets and the like, compositions comprising solutions and/orsuspensions in pharmaceutically acceptable, aqueous, or organicsolvents, or mixtures thereof and/or powders.

Examples of controlled drug formulations for delivery of the compoundsand formulations useful in the invention are found in, for example,Sweetman, S. C. (Ed.). Martindale. The Complete Drug Reference, 33rdEdition, Pharmaceutical Press, Chicago, 2002, 2483 pp.; Aulton, M. E.(Ed.) Pharmaceutics. The Science of Dosage Form Design. ChurchillLivingstone, Edinburgh, 2000, 734 pp.; and, Ansel, H. C., Allen, L. V.and Popovich, N. G. Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug DeliverySystems, 7th Ed., Lippincott 1999, 676 pp. Excipients employed in themanufacture of drug delivery systems are described in variouspublications known to those skilled in the art including, for example,Kibbe, E. H. Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients, 3rd Ed., AmericanPharmaceutical Association, Washington, 2000, 665 pp. The USP alsoprovides examples of modified-release oral dosage forms, including thoseformulated as tablets or capsules. See, for example, The United StatesPharmacopeia 23/National Formulary 18, The United States PharmacopeialConvention, Inc., Rockville Md., 1995 (hereinafter “the USP”), whichalso describes specific tests to determine the drug release capabilitiesof extended-release and delayed-release tablets and capsules. Furtherguidance concerning the analysis of extended release dosage forms hasbeen provided by the FDA. See Guidance for Industry. Extended releaseoral dosage forms: development, evaluation, and application of invitro/in vivo correlations. Rockville, Md.: Center for Drug Evaluationand Research, Food and Drug Administration (1997).

Further examples of dosage forms useful in the methods of the inventioninclude, but are not limited to, modified-release (MR) dosage formsincluding delayed-release (DR) forms; prolonged-action (PA) forms;controlled-release (CR) forms; extended-release (ER) forms;timed-release (TR) forms; and long-acting (LA) forms. For the most part,these terms are used to describe orally administered dosage forms,however these terms may be applicable to any of the dosage forms,formulations, compositions and/or devices described herein. Theseformulations effect delayed total drug release for some time after drugadministration, and/or drug release in small aliquots intermittentlyafter administration, and/or drug release slowly at a controlled rategoverned by the delivery system, and/or drug release at a constant ratethat does not vary, and/or drug release for a significantly longerperiod than usual formulations.

Modified-release dosage forms of the invention include dosage formshaving drug release features based on time, course, and/or locationwhich are designed to accomplish therapeutic or convenience objectivesnot offered by conventional or immediate-release forms. See, forexample, Bogner, R. H. U.S. Pharmacist 22 (Suppl.):3-12 (1997); Scale-upof oral extended-release drug delivery systems: part I, an overview,Pharmaceutical Manufacturing 2:23-27 (1985). Extended-release dosageforms of the invention include, for example, as defined by The UnitedStates Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a dosage form that allows areduction in dosing frequency to that presented by a conventional dosageform, e.g., a solution or an immediate-release dosage form. See, forexample, Bogner, R. H. (1997) supra. Repeat action dosage forms of theinvention include, for example, forms that contain two single doses ofmedication, one for immediate release and the second for delayedrelease. Bi-layered tablets, for example, may be prepared with one layerof drug for immediate release with the second layer designed to releasedrug later as either a second dose or in an extended-release manner.Targeted-release dosage forms of the invention include, for example,formulations that facilitate drug release and which are directed towardsisolating or concentrating a drug in a body region, tissue, or site forabsorption or for drug action.

Also useful in the invention are coated beads, granules or microspherescontaining one or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentsand/or pre-complexed Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents,which may be used to achieve modified release of one or more Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents and/or pre-complexed Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents by incorporation of the druginto coated beads, granules, or microspheres. In such systems, theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and/or pre-complexedType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is distributed ontobeads, pellets, granules or other particulate systems. See Ansel, H. C.,Allen, L. V. and Popovich, N. G., Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and DrugDelivery Systems, 7th Ed., Lippincott 1999, p. 232.

Methods for manufacture of microspheres suitable for drug delivery havebeen described. See, for example, Arshady, R. Polymer Eng Sci30:1746-1758 (1989); see also, Arshady, R., Polymer Eng Sci 30:905-914(1990); see also: Arshady R., Polymer Eng Sci 30:915-924 (1990). Variouscoating systems are commercially available. E.g., Aquacoat™ [FMCCorporation, Philadelphia] and Surerelease™ [Colorcon]; Aquacoat aqueouspolymeric dispersion. Philadelphia: FMC Corporation, 1991; Surereleaseaqueous controlled release coating system. West Point, Pa.: Colorcon,1990; Butler, J., et al., Pharm Tech 22:122-138 (1998); Yazici, E., etal., Pharmaceut Dev Technol 1:175-183 (1996).

Variation in the thickness of the coats and in the type of coatingmaterials used affects the rate at which the body fluids are capable ofpenetrating the coating to dissolve the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent. Generally, the thicker the coat, the moreresistant to penetration and the more delayed will be Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent release and dissolution. See Madan, P. L.U.S. Pharmacist 15:39-50 (1990). This provides the different desiredsustained or extended release rates and the targeting of the coatedbeads to the desired segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Examples offilm-forming polymers which can be used in water-insolublerelease-slowing intermediate layer(s) (to be applied to a pellet,spheroid or tablet core) include ethylcellulose, polyvinyl acetate,Eudragit® RS, Eudragit® RL, etc. (Each of Eudragit® RS and Eudragit® RLis an ammonio methacrylate copolymer. The release rate can be controllednot only by incorporating therein suitable water-soluble pore formers,such as lactose, mannitol, sorbitol, etc., but also by the thickness ofthe coating layer applied. Multi-tablets may be formulated which includesmall spheroid-shaped compressed mini-tablets that may have a diameterof between 3 to 4 mm and can be placed in a gelatin capsule shell toprovide the desired pattern of Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent release. Each capsule may contain 8-10 minitablets, someuncoated for immediate release and others coated for extended release ofthe Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent.

A number of methods may be employed to generate modified-release dosageforms of one or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentssuitable for oral administration to humans and other mammals. Two basicmechanisms available to achieve modified release drug delivery includealtered dissolution or diffusion of drugs and excipients. Within thiscontext, for example, four processes may be employed, eithersimultaneously or consecutively. These are as follows: (i) hydration ofthe device (e.g., swelling of the matrix); (ii) diffusion of water intothe device; (iii) controlled or delayed dissolution of the drug; and(iv) controlled or delayed diffusion of dissolved or solubilized drugout of the device.

In order to formulate a range of dosage values, cell culture assays andanimal studies can be used. The dosage of such compounds preferably lieswithin the dose that is therapeutically effective for at least 50% ofthe population, and that exhibits little or no toxicity at this level.

The effective dosage of each of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents employed in the methods and compositions of theinvention may vary depending on a number of factors including theparticular Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent or agentsemployed, the cardiovascular therapeutic combinational partner ifpresent, the mode of administration, the frequency of administration,the condition being treated, the severity of the condition beingtreated, the route of administration, the needs of a patientsub-population to be treated or the needs of the individual patientwhich different needs can be due to age, sex, body weight, relevantmedical condition specific to the patient.

A suitable dose may be from about 0.001 to about 1 or to about 10 mg/kgbody weight such as about 0.01 to about 0.5 mg/kg body weight. Asuitable dose may however be from about 0.001 to about 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight such as about 0.01 to about 0.05 mg/kg body weight. Doses fromabout 1 to 100, 100-200, 200-300, 300-400, and 400-500 miligrams areappropriate, as are doses of about 500-750 micrograms and about 750-1000micrograms. Other useful doses include from about 300 to about 1000picomoles per dose, and about 0.05 to about 0.2 nanomoles per dose.Still other doses are within the following claims.

For example, in certain embodiments, the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent composition may be administered at about 0.01nanomolar (mM) or 0.05 nM to about 200 nM final concentration.Preferably, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentcomposition is administered at about 0.1 nM to about 150 nM finalconcentration, more preferably, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent composition is applied at about 1 nM to about 100 nMfinal concentration, and more preferably, the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent composition is administered at about 10-20 nM toabout 100-150 nM final concentration. Additionally, Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent dose amounts include, for example, about0.1-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 milligrams (mg), from about 5 to about 10mg, from about 10 to about 15 mg, from about 15 to about 20 mg, fromabout 20 to about 30 mg, from about 30 to about 40 mg, from about 40 toabout 50 mg, from about 50 to about 75 mg, from about 75 to about 100mg, from about 100 mg to about 250 mg, and from 250 mg to about 500 mg.Dose amounts from 500 to about 1000 milligrams or more or also provided,as noted above. Other doses include doses ranging from at least about100 nanograms, including, for example at least about 200 nanograms, 600nanograms, 2000 nanograms, 6000 nanograms and at least about 10,000nanograms or more. Dose concentrations include concentrations of atleast about 0.1 moles per liter, including, for example, at least about0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 nMoles/L. Dose concentrations also includeconcentrations of 0.1 nMoles/L, 0.3 nMoles/L, 1.0 nMoles/L, 3.0 nMoles/Land 10.0 nMoles/L. These dose concentrations are equivalent to 0.1, 0.3,1, 3, 11 μg/L and administrable weight doses of 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39micrograms/kg (μg/kg). Also within the invention are other doses rangingfrom 0.1 to 5.0 μg/kg and 0.1 to 10.0 μg/kg. Additionally, doses ofabout 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are within the invention. Doses ofat least about 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are also within theinvention.

Still other dosage levels between about 1 nanogram (ng)/kg and about 1mg/kg body weight per day of each of the agents described herein. Incertain embodiments, the dosage of each of the subject compounds willgenerally be in the range of about 1 ng to about 1 microgram per kg bodyweight, about 1 ng to about 0.1 microgram per kg body weight, about 1 ngto about 10 ng per kg body weight, about 10 ng to about 0.1 microgramper kg body weight, about 0.1 microgram to about 1 microgram per kg bodyweight, about 20 ng to about 100 ng per kg body weight, about 0.001 mgto about 0.01 mg per kg body weight, about 0.01 mg to about 0.1 mg perkg body weight, or about 0.1 mg to about 1 mg per kg body weight. Incertain embodiments, the dosage of each of the subject compounds willgenerally be in the range of about 0.001 mg to about 0.01 mg/kg bodyweight, about 0.01 mg to about 0.1 mg/kg body weight, about 0.1 mg toabout 1 mg/kg body weight. If more than one Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent is used, the dosage of each Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent need not be in the same range as theother.

Conveniently, if infused, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent is administered for at least about 0.5 to 1 hour, at least about1-2 hours, at least about 2-4 hours, at least about 4-6 hours, at leastabout 6-8 hours, at least about 8-10 hours, at least about 12 hours, orat least about 24 hours.

As noted herein, the doses of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment, peptide or peptidomimetic, for example, administered incombination, or other cardiovascular therapeutic agents administered incombination with either or both, can be adjusted down from the dosesadministered when given alone.

The combined use of several agents may reduce the required dosage forany individual agent because the onset and duration of effect of thedifferent agents may be complementary. In a preferred embodiment, thecombined use of two or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentand/or cardiovascular therapeutic agents has an additive, synergistic orsuper-additive effect.

In some cases, the combination of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent and a cardiovascular therapeutic agent, or other agentsadministered in combination with either or both, have an additiveeffect. In other cases, the combination can have greater-than-additiveeffect. Such an effect is referred to herein as a “supra-additive”effect, and may be due to synergistic or potentiated interaction.

In another preferred embodiment, the combined use of a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent, reduces the frequency in which said agent isadministered compared to the frequency when said agent is administeredalone. Thus, these combinations allow the use of lower and/or fewerdoses of each agent than previously required to achieve desiredtherapeutic goals.

Doses may be administered in single or divided applications. The dosesmay be administered once, or application may be repeated. Typically,administration can be by infusion in addition to or instead of multiplesingle administrations.

One or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents andanother cardiovascular therapeutic agent, if desired, may beadministered by the same or different routes. The various agents of theinvention can be administered separately at different times during thecourse of therapy, or concurrently in divided or single combinationforms.

In one aspect of the invention a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent is administered in one composition and anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent is administered in a secondcomposition. In one embodiment the first composition comprising a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment peptide agent is administered beforethe second composition comprising another cardiovascular therapeuticagent. In one embodiment the first composition comprising a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment peptide agent is administered afterthe second composition comprising another cardiovascular therapeuticagent. In one preferred embodiment the first composition comprising aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment peptide agent is administeredbefore and after the second composition comprising anothercardiovascular therapeutic agent. In one embodiment the secondcomposition comprising another cardiovascular therapeutic agent isadministered before and after the first composition comprising a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment peptides agent. In one embodimentthe first composition comprising a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment peptide agent is administered about the same time as the secondcomposition comprising another cardiovascular therapeutic agent.

The delivery of a formulation comprising a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent, alone or together with another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent, over a period of time, in some instances for about1-2 hours, about 2-4 hours, about 4-6 hours, about 6-8, or about 24hours or longer, may also be accomplished using slow release or depotformulations, for example, as well as transdermal formulations anddevices.

Strategies to improve the oral bioavailability of proteins have rangedfrom changing their physicochemical properties by modification of theirlipophilicity and enzyme susceptibility, to adding novel functionalityusing transport-carrier molecules that are recognized by endogenoustransport-carrier systems in the gastrointestinal tract and/or to theirinclusion in specially adapted drug carrier systems. Marketedpolymeric-based systems have attracted considerable attention in thecontrolled release in targeting particular organs/tissues, and in theirability to deliver proteins and peptides. They can effectively deliverthe proteins to a target site and thus increase the therapeutic benefit,while minimizing side effects. Protein association with polymer-basedcarriers, such as polymeric microparticles, nanoparticles, hydrogels orpatches is a useful approach to improve oral protein bioavailability.Polymer-based carriers can protect proteins from the gastrointestinalenvironment and allow the modulation of physicochemical and proteinrelease properties and consequently the biological behavior. Also, fromthe perspective of improving oral absorption, the major effect ofcarriers is to increase epithelial membrane permeability, therebyleading to higher bioavailability.

Dosage forms of the compounds and formulations of the invention,extended Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent action may beachieved by affecting the rate at which the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent is released from the dosage form and/or byslowing the transit time of the dosage form through the gastrointestinaltract (see Bogner, R. H., US Pharmacist 22 (Suppl.):3-12 (1997)). Therate of drug release from solid dosage forms may be modified by thetechnologies described below which, in general, are based on thefollowing: 1) modifying drug dissolution by controlling access ofbiologic fluids to the drug through the use of barrier coatings; 2)controlling drug diffusion rates from dosage forms; and 3) chemicallyreacting or interacting between the drug substance or its pharmaceuticalbarrier and site-specific biological fluids. Systems by which theseobjectives are achieved are also provided herein. In one approach,employing digestion as the release mechanism, the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent is either coated or entrapped in asubstance that is slowly digested or dispersed into the intestinaltract. The rate of availability of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent is a function of the rate of digestion of the dispersiblematerial. Therefore, the release rate, and thus the effectiveness of theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent varies from subject tosubject depending upon the ability of the subject to digest thematerial.

A further form of slow release dosage form of the compounds andformulations of the invention is any suitable osmotic system wheresemi-permeable membranes of for example cellulose acetate, celluloseacetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, is used to control therelease of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent. These canbe coated with aqueous dispersions of enteric lacquers without changingrelease rate. An example of such an osmotic system is an osmotic pumpdevice, such as the Oros™ device developed by Alza Inc. (U.S.A.).

Other devices useful in the methods of the invention utilize monolithicmatrices including, for example, slowly eroding or hydrophilic polymermatrices, in which one or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents are compressed or embedded.

Monolithic matrix devices comprising compounds and formulations usefulin the invention include those formed using, for example, Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents dispersed in a solublematrix, which become increasingly available as the matrix dissolves orswells; examples include hydrophilic colloid matrices, such ashydroxypropylcellulose (BP) or hydroxypropyl cellulose (USP);hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC; BP, USP); methylcellulose (MC; BP,USP); calcium carboxymethylcellulose (Calcium CMC; BP, USP); acrylicacid polymer or carboxy polymethylene (Carbopol) or Carbomer (BP, USP);or linear glycuronan polymers such as alginic acid (BP, USP), forexample those formulated into microparticles from alginic acid(alginate)-gelatin hydrocolloid coacervate systems, or those in whichliposomes have been encapsulated by coatings of alginic acid withpoly-L-lysine membranes. Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent release occurs as the polymer swells, forming a matrix layer thatcontrols the diffusion of aqueous fluid into the core and thus the rateof diffusion of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent fromthe system.

In such systems, the rate of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent release depends upon the tortuous nature of the channels withinthe gel, and the viscosity of the entrapped fluid, such that differentrelease kinetics can be achieved, for example, zero-order, orfirst-order combined with pulsatile release. Where such gels are notcross-linked, there is a weaker, non-permanent association between thepolymer chains, which relies on secondary bonding. With such devices,high loading of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent isachievable, and effective blending is frequent. Devices may contain20-80% of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent (w/w), alongwith gel modifiers that can enhance Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent diffusion; examples of such modifiers include sugars thatcan enhance the rate of hydration, ions that can influence the contentof cross-links, and pH buffers that affect the level of polymerionization. Hydrophilic matrix devices may also contain one or more pHbuffers, surfactants, counter-ions, lubricants such as magnesiumstearate (BP, USP) and a glidant such as colloidal silicon dioxide (USP;colloidal anhydrous silica, BP) in addition to Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent and hydrophilic matrix.

Monolithic matrix devices comprising compounds and formulations usefulin the invention also include those formed using, for example, Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent particles are dissolved in aninsoluble matrix, from which Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent becomes available as solvent enters the matrix, often throughchannels, and dissolves the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent particles. Examples include systems formed with a lipid matrix, orinsoluble polymer matrix, including preparations formed from Carnaubawax (BP; USP); medium-chain triglyceride such as fractionated coconutoil (BP) or triglycerida saturata media (PhEur); or cellulose ethylether or ethylcellulose (BP, USP). Lipid matrices are simple and easy tomanufacture, and incorporate the following blend of powdered components:lipids (20-40% hydrophobic solids w/w) which remain intact during therelease process; Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g.,channeling agent, such as sodium chloride or sugars, which leaches fromthe formulation, forming aqueous micro-channels (capillaries) throughwhich solvent enters, and through which Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent is released. In this system, the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is embedded in an inertinsoluble polymer and is released by leaching of aqueous fluid, whichdiffuses into the core of the device through capillaries formed betweenparticles, and from which the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent diffuses out of the device. The rate of release is controlled bythe degree of compression, particle size, and the nature and relativecontent (w/w) of excipients. An example of such a device is that ofFerrous Gradumet (Martindale 33rd Ed., 1360.3). A further example of asuitable insoluble matrix is an inert plastic matrix. By this method,Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents are granulated with aninert plastic material such as polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, orpolymethacrylate, and the granulated mixture is then compressed intotablets. Once ingested, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent is slowly released from the inert plastic matrix by diffusion.See, for example, Bodmeier, R. & Paeratakul, O., J Pharm Sci 79:32-26(1990); Laghoueg, N., et al., Int J Pharm 50:133-139 (1989); Buckton,G., et al., Int J Pharm 74:153-158 (1991). The compression of the tabletcreates the matrix or plastic form that retains its shape during theleaching of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent andthrough its passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Animmediate-release portion of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent may be compressed onto the surface of the tablet. The inert tabletmatrix, expended of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, isexcreted with the feces. An example of a successful dosage form of thistype is Gradumet (Abbott; see, for example, Ferro-Gradumet, Martindale33rd Ed., p. 1860.4).

Further examples of monolithic matrix devices useful in the methods ofthe invention include compositions and formulations of the inventionincorporated in pendent attachments to a polymer matrix. See, forexample, Scholsky, K. M. and Fitch, R. M., J Controlled Release 3:87-108(1986). In these devices, Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagents may be attached by means of an ester linkage to poly(acrylate)ester latex particles prepared by aqueous emulsion polymerization. Stillfurther examples of monolithic matrix devices of the inventionincorporate dosage forms in which the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent is bound to a biocompatible polymer by a labile chemicalbond, e.g., polyanhydrides prepared from a substituted anhydride (itselfprepared by reacting an acid chloride with the drug: methacryloylchloride and the sodium salt of methoxy benzoic acid) have been used toform a matrix with a second polymer (Eudragit RL) which releases drug onhydrolysis in gastric fluid. See Chafi, N., et al., Int J Pharm67:265-274 (1992).

Modified release forms of one or more Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents may also be prepared by microencapsulation.Microencapsulation is a process by which solids, liquids, or even gassesmay be encapsulated into microscopic size particles through theformation of thin coatings of “wall” material around the substance beingencapsulated such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,488,418; 3,391,416and 3,155,590. Gelatin (BP, USP) is commonly employed as a wall-formingmaterial in microencapsulated preparations, but synthetic polymers suchas polyvinyl alcohol (USP), ethylcellulose (BP, USP), polyvinylchloride, and other materials may also be used. See, for example,Zentner, G. M., et al., J Controlled Release 2:217-229 (1985); Fites, A.L., et al., J Pharm Sci 59:610-613 (1970); Samuelov, Y., et al., J PharmSci 68:325-329 (1979). Different rates of Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent release may be obtained by changing thecore-to-wall ratio, the polymer used for the coating, or the method ofmicroencapsulation. See, for example: Yazici, E., Oner, et al.,Pharmaceut Dev Technol; 1:175-183 (1996).

Other useful approaches include those in which the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent is incorporated into polymeric colloidalparticles or microencapsulates (microparticles, microspheres ornanoparticles) in the form or reservoir and matrix devices. See:Douglas, S. J., et al., C. R. C. Crit Rev Therap Drug Carrier Syst3:233-261 (1987); Oppenheim, R. C., Int J Pharm 8:217-234 (1981);Higuchi, T., J Pharm Sci 52:1145-1149 (1963).

Formulations of drugs suitable for transdermal delivery are known tothose skilled in the art, and are described in references such as Anselet al., (supra). Methods known to enhance the delivery of drugs by thepercutaneous route include chemical skin penetration enhancers, whichincrease skin permeability by reversibly damaging or otherwise alteringthe physicochemical nature of the stratum corneum to decrease itsresistance to drug diffusion. See Shah, V., Peck, C. C., and Williams,R. L., Skin penetration enhancement: clinical pharmacological andregulatory considerations, In: Walters, K. A. and Hadgraft, J. (Eds.)Pharmaceutical skin penetration enhancement. New York: Dekker, (1993).Skin penetration enhancers suitable for formulation with Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agents in transdermal drug deliverysystems may be chosen from the following list: acetone, laurocapram,dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulphoxide, ethanol, oleicacid, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol and sodium lauryl sulphate.Further skin penetration enhancers may be found in publications known tothose skilled in the art. See, for example, Osborne, D. W., & Henke, J.J., Pharm Tech 21:50-66 (1997); Rolf, D., “Pharm Tech 12:130-139 (1988).In addition to chemical means, there are physical methods that enhancetransdermal drug delivery and penetration of the compounds andformulations of the invention. These include iontophoresis andsonophoresis. Formulations suitable for administration by iontophoresisor sonophoresis may be in the form of gels, creams, or lotions.

Transdermal delivery, methods or formulations of the invention, mayutilize, among others, monolithic delivery systems, drug-impregnatedadhesive delivery systems (e.g., the Latitude™ drug-in-adhesive systemfrom 3M), active transport devices and membrane-controlled systems.Transdermal delivery dosage forms of the invention include those whichsubstitute the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, for thediclofenic or other pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof referred toin the transdermal delivery systems disclosed in, by way of example,U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,193,996, and 6,262,121.

Other dosage forms include variants of the oral dosage forms adapted forsuppository or other parenteral use. When rectally administered in theform of suppositories, for example, these compositions may be preparedby mixing one or more compounds and formulations of the invention with asuitable non-irritating excipient, such as cocoa butter, syntheticglyceride esters or polyethylene glycols, which are solid at ordinarytemperatures, but liquify and/or dissolve in the rectal cavity torelease the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent.Suppositories are generally solid dosage forms intended for insertioninto body orifices including rectal, vaginal and occasionally urethrallyand can be long acting or slow release. Suppositories include a basethat can include, but is not limited to, materials such as alginic acid,which will prolong the release of the pharmaceutically acceptable activeingredient over several hours (5-7).

Transmucosal administration of the compounds and formulations useful inthe invention may utilize any mucosal membrane but commonly utilizes thenasal, buccal, vaginal and rectal tissues. Formulations suitable fornasal administration of the compounds and formulations of the inventionmay be administered in a liquid form, for example, nasal spray, nasaldrops, or by aerosol administration by nebulizer, including aqueous oroily solutions of the Type-B signal peptide fragment agent. Formulationsfor nasal administration, wherein the carrier is a solid, include acoarse powder having a particle size, for example, of less than about100 microns, preferably less, most preferably one or two times per daythan about 50 microns, which is administered in the manner in whichsnuff is taken, i.e., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage froma container of the powder held close up to the nose. Compositions insolution may be nebulized by the use of inert gases and such nebulizedsolutions may be breathed directly from the nebulizing device or thenebulizing device may be attached to a facemask, tent or intermittentType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents may be administeredorally or nasally from devices that deliver the formulation in anappropriate manner. Formulations may be prepared as aqueous solutionsfor example in saline, solutions employing benzyl alcohol or othersuitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhancebio-availability, fluorocarbons, and/or other solubilising or dispersingagents known in the art.

Compositions may be prepared according to conventional methods bydissolving or suspending an amount of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent(s) (s) ingredient in a diluent. The amount ofType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is from between 0.1 mgto 1000 mg per ml of diluent. In some embodiments, dosage forms of 100mg and 200 mg of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent areprovided. By way of example only, the amount of Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent may range from about 1 mg to about 750 mgor more (for example, about 1 mg, about 10 mg, about 25 mg, about 50 mg,about 100 mg, about 150 mg, about 200 mg, about 250 mg, about 400 mg,about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about 750 mg, about 800 mg, about 1000 mg,and about 1200 mg). Other doses include doses ranging from at leastabout 100 nanograms, including, for example at least about 200nanograms, 600 nanograms, 2000 nanograms, 6000 nanograms and at leastabout 10,000 nanograms or more. Dose concentrations includeconcentrations of at least about 0.1 moles per liter, including, forexample, at least about 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 nMoles/L. Doseconcentrations also include concentrations of 0.1 nMoles/L, 0.3nMoles/L, 1.0 nMoles/L, 3.0 nMoles/L and 10.0 nMoles/L. These doseconcentrations are equivalent to 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 11 μg/L andadministrable weight doses of 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 micrograms/kg(μg/kg). Also within the invention are other doses ranging from 0.1 to5.0 μg/kg and 0.1 to 10.0 μg/kg. Additionally, doses of about 0.4, 1.0,4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are within the invention. Doses of at least about0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 μg/kg are also within the invention. Otheramounts within these ranges may also be used and are specificallycontemplated though each number in between is not expressly set out.

Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents can be provided andadministered in forms suitable for once-a-day dosing. An acetate,phosphate, citrate or glutamate buffer may be added allowing a pH of thefinal composition to be from about 5.0 to about 9.5; optionally acarbohydrate or polyhydric alcohol tonicifier and, a preservativeselected from the group consisting of m-cresol, benzyl alcohol, methyl,ethyl, propyl and butyl parabens and phenol may also be added. Water forinjection, tonicifying agents such as sodium chloride, as well as otherexcipients, may also be present, if desired. For parenteraladministration, formulations are isotonic or substantially isotonic toavoid irritation and pain at the site of administration.

The terms buffer, buffer solution and buffered solution, when used withreference to hydrogen-ion concentration or pH, refer to the ability of asystem, particularly an aqueous solution, to resist a change of pH onadding acid or alkali, or on dilution with a solvent. Characteristic ofbuffered solutions, which undergo small changes of pH on addition ofacid or base, is the presence either of a weak acid and a salt of theweak acid, or a weak base and a salt of the weak base. An example of theformer system is acetic acid and sodium acetate. The change of pH isslight as long as the amount of hydroxyl ion added does not exceed thecapacity of the buffer system to neutralize it.

Maintaining the pH of the formulation in the range of approximately 5.0to about 9.5 can enhance the stability of the parenteral formulation ofthe present invention. Other pH ranges, for example, include, about 5.5to about 9.0, or about 6.0 to about 8.5, or about 6.5 to about 8.0, or,preferably, about 7.0 to about 7.5.

The buffer used may be selected from any of the following, for example,an acetate buffer, a phosphate buffer or glutamate buffer, the mostpreferred buffer being a phosphate buffer. Carriers or excipients canalso be used to facilitate administration of the compositions andformulations of the invention. Examples of carriers and excipientsinclude calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, various sugars such aslactose, glucose, or sucrose, or types of starch, cellulose derivatives,gelatin, polyethylene glycols and physiologically compatible solvents. Astabilizer may be included, but will generally not be needed. Ifincluded, however, an example of a stabilizer useful in the practice ofthe invention is a carbohydrate or a polyhydric alcohol. The polyhydricalcohols include such compounds as sorbitol, mannitol, glycerol,xylitol, and polypropylene/ethylene glycol copolymer, as well as variouspolyethylene glycols (PEG) of molecular weight 200, 400, 1450, 3350,4000, 6000, and 8000). The carbohydrates include, for example, mannose,ribose, trehalose, maltose, inositol, lactose, galactose, arabinose, orlactose.

Isotonicity agents, or agents to maintain isotonicity, may also be usedor included.

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) states that anti-microbial agentsin bacteriostatic or fungistatic concentrations must be added topreparations contained in multiple dose containers. They must be presentin adequate concentration at the time of use to prevent themultiplication of microorganisms inadvertently introduced into thepreparation while withdrawing a portion of the contents with ahypodermic needle and syringe, or using other invasive means fordelivery, such as pen injectors. Antimicrobial agents should beevaluated to ensure compatibility with all other components of theformula, and their activity should be evaluated in the total formula toensure that a particular agent that is effective in one formulation isnot ineffective in another. It is not uncommon to find that a particularagent will be effective in one formulation but not effective in anotherformulation. While the preservative for use in the practice of theinvention can range from 0.005 to 1.0% (w/v), the preferred range foreach preservative, alone or in combination with others, is: benzylalcohol (0.1-1.0%), or m-cresol (0.1-0.6%), or phenol (0.1-0.8%) orcombination of methyl (0.05-0.25%) and ethyl or propyl or butyl(0.005%-0.03%) parabens. The parabens are lower alkyl esters ofpara-hydroxybenzoic acid. A detailed description of each preservative isset forth in “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences” as well asPharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Parenteral Medications, Vol. 1, 1992, Aviset al. For these purposes, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent may be administered parenterally (including subcutaneousinjections, intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal injection orinfusion techniques) or by inhalation spray in dosage unit formulationscontaining conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers,adjuvants and vehicles.

If desired, the parenteral formulation may be thickened with athickening agent such as a methylcellulose. The formulation may beprepared in an emulsified form, either water in oil or oil in water. Anyof a wide variety of pharmaceutically acceptable emulsifying agents maybe employed including, for example, acacia powder, a non-ionicsurfactant or an ionic surfactant. It may also be desirable to addsuitable dispersing or suspending agents to the pharmaceuticalformulation. These may include, for example, aqueous suspensions such assynthetic and natural gums, e.g., tragacanth, acacia, alginate, dextran,sodium carboxymethylcellulose, methylcellulose, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone orgelatin.

It is possible that other ingredients may be present in a parenteralpharmaceutical formulation useful the invention. Such additionalingredients may include wetting agents, oils (e.g., a vegetable oil suchas sesame, peanut or olive), analgesic agents, emulsifiers,antioxidants, bulking agents, tonicity modifiers, metal ions, oleaginousvehicles, proteins (e.g., human serum albumin, gelatin or proteins) anda zwitterion (e.g., an amino acid such as betaine, taurine, arginine,glycine, lysine and histidine). Such additional ingredients, of course,should not adversely affect the overall stability of the pharmaceuticalformulation of the present invention. Regarding pharmaceuticalformulations, see also, Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: ParenteralMedications, Vol. 1, 2nd ed., Avis et al., Eds., Mercel Dekker, NewYork, N.Y. 1992.

Suitable routes of parenteral administration include intramuscular,intravenous, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, subdermal, intradermal,intraarticular, intrathecal and the like. Mucosal delivery is alsopermissible. The dose and dosage regimen will depend upon the weight andhealth of the subject.

In addition to the above means of achieving extended drug action, therate and duration of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentdelivery may be controlled by, for example by using mechanicallycontrolled drug infusion pumps.

The Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent(s) can beadministered in the form of a depot injection that may be formulated insuch a manner as to permit a sustained release of the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent. The Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent can be compressed into pellets or small cylinders andimplanted subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The pellets or cylindersmay additionally be coated with a suitable biodegradable polymer chosenso as to provide a desired release profile. The Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent may alternatively be micropelleted. TheType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent micropellets usingbioacceptable polymers can be designed to allow release rates to bemanipulated to provide a desired release profile. Alternatively,injectable depot forms can be made by forming microencapsulated matricesof the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in biodegradablepolymers such as polylactide-polyglycolide. Depending on the ratio ofType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent to polymer, and thenature of the particular polymer employed, the rate of Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent release can be controlled.Depot injectable formulations can also be prepared by entrapping theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in liposomes, examplesof which include unilamellar vesicles, large unilamellar vesicles andmultilamellar vesicles. Liposomes can be formed from a variety ofphospholipids, such as cholesterol, stearyl amine orphosphatidylcholines. Depot injectable formulations can also be preparedby entrapping the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent inmicroemulsions that are compatible with body tissue. By way of example,reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,410,041 and 6,362,190.

Implantable infusion devices may employ inert material such asbiodegradable polymers listed above or synthetic silicones, for example,cylastic, silicone rubber or other polymers manufactured by theDow-Corning Corporation. The polymer may be loaded with Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and any excipients.Implantable infusion devices may also comprise a coating of, or aportion of, a medical device wherein the coating comprises the polymerloaded with Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and anyexcipient. Such an implantable infusion device may be prepared asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,380 by coating the device with an invivo biocompatible and biodegradable or bioabsorbable orbioerodibleerodible liquid or gel solution containing a polymer with thesolution comprising a desired dosage amount of Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent and any excipients. The solution is converted toa film adhering to the medical device thereby forming the implantableType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent-deliverable medicaldevice. An implantable infusion device may also be prepared by the insitu formation of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentcontaining solid matrix as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,789.Implantable infusion devices may be passive or active, as known in theart.

Also useful in methods of the invention are microemulsions, i.e., suchas fluid and stable homogeneous solutions composed of a hydrophilicphase, a lipophilic phase, at least one surfactant (SA) and at least onecosurfactant (CoSA). Examples of suitable surfactants include mono-, di-and triglycerides and polyethylene glycol (PEG) mono- and diesters. Acosurfactant, also sometimes known as “co-surface-active agentm,” is achemical compound having hydrophobic character, intended to cause themutual solubilization of the aqueous and oily phases in a microemulsion.Examples of suitable co-surfactants include ethyl diglycol, lauricesters of propylene glycol, oleic esters of polyglycerol, and relatedcompounds.

Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents may also be deliveredusing various polymers to enhance bioavailability by increasing adhesionto mucosal surfaces, by decreasing the rate of degradation by hydrolysisor enzymatic degradation of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent, and by increasing the surface area of the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent relative to the size of theparticle. Suitable polymers can be natural or synthetic, and can bebiodegradable or non-biodegradable. Delivery of low molecular weightactive agents, such as for example Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents, may occur by either diffusion or degradation of thepolymeric system. Representative natural polymers include proteins suchas zein, modified zein, casein, gelatin, gluten, serum albumin, andcollagen, polysaccharides such as cellulose, dextrans, andpolyhyaluronic acid. Synthetic polymers are generally preferred due tothe better characterization of degradation and release profiles.Representative synthetic polymers include polyphosphazenes, poly(vinylalcohols), polyamides, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polyalkylenes,polyacrylamides, polyalkylene glycols, polyalkylene oxides, polyalkyleneterephthalates, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides,polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes andcopolymers thereof. Examples of suitable polyacrylates includepoly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(butylmethacrylate), poly(isobutyl methacrylate), poly(hexyl methacrylate),poly(isodecyl methacrylate), poly(lauryl methacrylate), poly(phenylmethacrylate), poly(methyl acrylate), poly(isopropyl acrylate),poly(isobutyl acrylate) and poly(octadecyl acrylate). Syntheticallymodified natural polymers include cellulose derivatives such as alkylcelluloses, hydroxyalkyl celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters,and nitrocelluloses. Examples of suitable cellulose derivatives includemethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl methyl cellulose, celluloseacetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, celluloseacetate phthalate, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose triacetate andcellulose sulfate sodium salt. Each of the polymers described above canbe obtained from commercial sources such as Sigma Chemical Co., St.Louis, Mo., Polysciences, Warrenton, Pa., Aldrich Chemical Co.,Milwaukee, Wis., Fluka, Ronkonkoma, N.Y., and BioRad, Richmond, Calif.or can be synthesized from monomers obtained from these suppliers usingstandard techniques.

The polymers described above can be separately characterized asbiodegradable, non-biodegradable, and bioadhesive polymers.Representative synthetic degradable polymers include polyhydroxy acidssuch as polylactides, polyglycolides and copolymers thereof,poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butic acid), poly(valeric acid),poly(lactide-co-caprolactone), polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters andblends and copolymers thereof. Representative natural biodegradablepolymers include polysaccharides such as alginate, dextran, cellulose,collagen, and chemical derivatives thereof (substitutions, additions ofchemical groups, for example, alkyl, alkylene, hydroxylations,oxidations, and other modifications routinely made by those skilled inthe art), and proteins such as albumin, zein and copolymers and blendsthereof, alone or in combination with synthetic polymers. Examples ofnon-biodegradable polymers include ethylene vinyl acetate,poly(meth)acrylic acid, polyamides, polyethylene, polypropylene,polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylphenol, and copolymers andmixtures thereof. Hydrophilic polymers and hydrogels tend to havebioadhesive properties. Hydrophilic polymers that contain carboxylicgroups (e.g., poly[acrylic acid]) tend to exhibit the best bioadhesiveproperties. Polymers with the highest concentrations of carboxylicgroups are preferred when bioadhesiveness on soft tissues is desired.Various cellulose derivatives, such as sodium alginate,carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxymethylcellulose and methylcellulose alsohave bioadhesive properties. Some of these bioadhesive materials arewater-soluble, while others are hydrogels. Polymers such ashydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMCAS), celluloseacetate trimellitate (CAT), cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP),hydroxypropylcellulose acetate phthalate (HPCAP),hydroxypropylmethylcellulose acetate phthalate (HPMCAP), andmethylcellulose acetate phthalate (MCAP) may be utilized to enhance thebioavailability of Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentswith which they are complexed. Rapidly bioerodible polymers such aspoly(lactide-co-glycolide), polyanhydrides, and polyorthoesters, whosecarboxylic groups are exposed on the external surface as their smoothsurface erodes, can also be used for bioadhesive Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent delivery systems. In addition, polymerscontaining labile bonds, such as polyanhydrides and polyesters, are wellknown for their hydrolytic reactivity. Their hydrolytic degradationrates can generally be altered by simple changes in the polymerbackbone. Upon degradation, these materials also expose carboxylicgroups on their external surface, and can also be used as B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent delivery systems.

Other agents that may enhance bioavailability or absorption of one ormore Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agents can act byfacilitating or inhibiting transport across the intestinal mucosa. Forexample, agents that increase blood flow, such as vasodilators, mayincrease the rate of absorption of orally administered Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent by increasing the blood flowto the gastrointestinal tract. Vasodilators constitute another class ofagents that may enhance the bioavailability of Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agents.

Other mechanisms of enhancing bioavailability of the compositions andformulations useful in the invention include the inhibition of reverseactive transport mechanisms. For example, it is now thought that one ofthe active transport mechanisms present in the intestinal epithelialcells is p-glycoprotein transport mechanism which facilitates thereverse transport of substances, which have diffused or have beentransported inside the epithelial cell, back into the lumen of theintestine. Inhibition of this p-glycoprotein mediated active transportsystem will cause less drug to be transported back into the lumen andwill thus increase the net drug transport across the gut epithelium andwill increase the amount of drug ultimately available in the blood.Various p-glycoprotein inhibitors are well known and appreciated in theart. These include, water soluble vitamin E; polyethylene glycol;poloxamers including Pluronic F-68; Polyethylene oxide; polyoxyethylenecastor oil derivatives including Cremophor EL and Cremophor RH 40;Chrysin, (±)-Taxifolin; Naringenin; Diosmin; Quercetin; and the like.

Thus, while the delivery period will be dependent upon both thecondition and the agent and the therapeutic effect which is desired,continuous or slow-release delivery for about 0.5-1 hour, about 1-2hours, about 2-4 hours, about 4-6 hours, about 6-8, or about 24 hours orlonger is provided. In accordance with the present invention, this isachieved by inclusion of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent, alone or together with another cardiovascular therapeutic agent,in a formulation together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier orvehicle, particularly in the form of a formulation for continuous orslow-release administration.

As noted, the one or more agents of the invention may be administeredbefore, during, immediately following a procedure in or on a subject,for example an angioplasty procedure or other physical intervention,such as stenting. They are preferably administered, for example, beforeand/or during a procedure or within about 24, about 12, about 10, about9, about 8, about 7, about 6, about 5, about 4, about 3, about 2 hoursor within about 60, about 45, about 30, about 15, about 10, about 5,about 4, about 3, about 2, about 1 minute following a procedure, forexample.

The routes of administration and dosages described herein are intendedonly as a guide since a skilled physician will consider the optimumroute of administration and dosage for any particular patient andcondition.

Any of the methods of treating a subject having or at risk for acardiovascular disorder may utilize the administration of any of thedoses, dosage forms, formulations, and/or compositions herein described.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

The present invention is directed to pharmaceutical compositions andtheir methods of use for preventing and/or treating a cardiovasculardisorder wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effectiveamount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, alone ortogether with another cardiovascular therapeutic agent.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides compositions for usein preventing and/or treating a cardiovascular disorder, which comprisesor consists essentially of at least one Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent, alone or together with another cardiovasculartherapeutic agent. In a preferred embodiment, the composition furthercomprises a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle.

In one preferred form, the composition contains one or more Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment peptide agents. Most preferably, theagent is BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ.ID.NO:1).

Kits, Medicaments and Articles of Manufacture

A Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent may also be used inthe manufacture of the medicament for preventing and/or treating acardiovascular disorder and related disorders and conditions.

In one aspect, the invention provides a kit for preventing and/ortreating a cardiovascular disorder comprising one or more compositionsor formulations described. For example, the invention includes a kitcomprising a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, alone or incombination with one or more cardiovascular therapeutic agents. Forexample, the kit may include a composition comprising an effectiveamount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and or moreof the following: nitrates, β-blockers, calcium channel blockers(particularly for stable or unstable angina, but also for heart failurein the case of β-blockers); diuretic agents, vasodilator agents,positive inotropes, ACE inhibitors and aldosterone antagonists, e.g.spironolactone (particularly for heart failure); blood thinningtherapeutics (e.g., aspirin, heparins, warfarins) and nitroglycerin(particularly for MI). Kits may also include compositions comprising orconsisting essentially of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent in alone or in combination with (e.g., in physical combination,provided as a combined preparation) one or more anti-thrombolytictherapies (e.g., streptokinase inhibitors, anti-platelet therapeutics,such as, for example, clopidogrel). Kits may also include a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent alone or in combination with(e.g., in physical combination, provided as a combined preparation) aType-B natriuretic peptide, including for example nesiritide, and/or arecombinant form of Type-B natriuretic peptide.

Articles of manufacture are also provided comprising a vessel containinga composition or formulation of the invention (in any dose or dose formor device) as described herein and instructions for use for thetreatment of a subject. For example, in another aspect, the inventionincludes an article of manufacture comprising a vessel containing atherapeutically effective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agent, alone or in combination with one or more othercardiovascular therapeutic agents.

Treatment

The compositions and formulations of the invention may be used forpreventing and/or treating a cardiovascular disorder and relateddisorders and conditions.

The inventions also include methods of treatment of a subject having orat risk for developing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition,comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effectiveamount of one or more of the compounds or pharmaceutical compositionsdescribed herein. In one non-limiting embodiment, the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition is associated with ischemia and/oroxidative stress. In one embodiment, the cardiovascular disease,disorder or condition is an acute coronary syndrome, e.g., ST-segmentelevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardialinfarction or unstable angina. In another embodiment, the cardiovasculardisease, disorder or condition is heart failure. In other embodiments,the cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition is ischemic heartdisease. In another embodiment, the cardiovascular disease, disorder orcondition is stable angina.

The inventions include methods of treating a subject having or at riskfor developing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition,comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.In one embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentin the pharmaceutical composition is BNPsp(17-26) (SEQ ID NO:1). Inanother embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment inthe pharmaceutical composition comprises or consists essentially of asequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:2 to 9. In another embodiment, theType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent in the pharmaceuticalcomposition comprises or consists essentially of a sequence selectedfrom Formula I, Formula II, Formula III, Formula IV, Formula V, FormulaVI, Formula VII and/or Formula VIII. Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment agents also include active analogs, variants, truncations, andmodified forms of the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentsdescribed herein.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods of treating and/orpreventing a cardiovascular disease, disorder or condition that isassociated with ischemia and/or oxidative stress in a subject byincreasing Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment activity in thesubject. This may be accomplished, for example, by administering to thesubject a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, e.g., a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment or a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment, including a BNPsp fragment comprising or consistingessentially of a sequence selected from SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9, or a peptidecomprising or consisting essentially of a peptide according to any ofFormulae I to VIII, or an analog, variant, truncation or modificationthereof. In certain embodiments, doses described above are utilized. Inother embodiments, about 0.01 to about 100, 500 or 1000 milligrams ormore (e.g., at least about 100 milligrams, at least about 500milligrams, or at least about 1000 miligrams) of a BNPsp fragment orType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment analog, e.g., a BNPspfragment comprising or consisting essentially of a sequence selectedfrom SEQ.ID.NOS:1-9, or a peptide comprising or consisting essentiallyof a peptide according to any of Formulae I to VIII, is administered perday in single or divided doses or by continuous infusion, for example.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods of treating a patientsuffering from acute coronary syndrome, comprising administering to thepatient a therapeutically effective amount of a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent, wherein the patient is not suffering froma Q-wave MI or STEMI. In a certain embodiment of this method, thepatient is suffering from unstable angina. In another embodiment of thismethod, the patient is suffering from non-Q-wave cardiac necrosis. Instill another embodiment of this method, the patient has a bloodtroponin I level of no more than 0.4 ng/ml. In yet another embodiment ofthis method, the patient has a blood troponin T level of no more than0.1 ng/ml. In yet another embodiment of this method, the patient doesnot have elevated blood creatine kinase. In still another embodiment ofthis method, the patient does not have ST-segment elevation. In yetanother embodiment of this method, the patient does not exhibit apathological Q-wave. In another embodiment of this method, the patientexhibits one or more of the following symptoms: chest rain greater than15 minutes in duration, chest pain at rest, or chest pain followingminimal exertion that is poorly responsive to sublingual nitrates.

In one embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agentis administered in a single dose. In another embodiment, the Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered in more thanone dose. In yet another embodiment, the Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent is administered continuously over a period oftime, for example a predetermined period of time. In still anotherembodiment, glucose or a potassium salt, or a combination thereof, isco-administered with the Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent.

In another aspect, the inventions include methods for treatment of apatient, comprising administering to the individual a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent,wherein the administration is after the onset of one or more of thefollowing symptoms: chest pain lasting longer than 15 minutes, chestpain at rest, chest pain following minimal exertion, nausea, shortnessof breath, palpitations, or dizziness. In other embodiments, the patienthas not suffered a Q-wave MI or STEMI prior to the onset of the symptomor symptoms; patient is suffering from unstable angina; the patient issuffering from non-Q-wave cardiac necrosis; the patient has a bloodtroponin I level of no more than 0.4 ng/ml; the patient has a bloodtroponin T level of no more than 0.1 ng/ml; the patient does not haveelevated blood creatine kinase myocardial isoenzyme; the patient doesnot have ST-segment elevation; the patient does not exhibit apathological Q-wave; the administration occurs between the time of onsetof the one or more symptoms, and the time the patient suffers a Q-waveMI or STEMI. In another embodiment, the method further comprises thestep of continuing the administration of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent during the time that the patient suffers a Q-waveMI or STEMI. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises thestep of continuing the administration of a Type-B natriuretic signalpeptide fragment agent after the time the patient suffers a Q-wave MI orSTEMI. In other embodiments of this method, the patient has ischemicheart disease, or is at risk for developing ischemic heart disease. Instill another embodiment of the method, the patient has one or more ofthe following cardiac abnormalities: congestive heart failure, worseningheart murmur due to mitral regurgitation, or evidence of cardiacconduction disturbances. In other embodiments, the patient has a normalECG. In another embodiment of this method, the patient has stableangina. In other embodiments of the method, the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent is administered in a single dose, or isadministered in more than one dose, or is administered continuously. Inan additional embodiment of this method, glucose or a potassium salt, ora combination thereof, is co-administered with the Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent.

The inventions also include methods for treating a patient sufferingfrom stable angina, comprising administration of a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent. In a further embodiment, theadministration is continuous over a period of time, including apredetermined period of time.

The inventions also provide a method for performing angioplasty on apatient in need thereof, comprising administering a Type-B natriureticsignal peptide fragment agent to the patient during the angioplastyprocedure. In a further embodiment, the method comprises or furthercomprises administering a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragmentagent to the patient prior to the angioplasty procedure. In a furtherembodiment, the method comprises or further comprises administering aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent to the patientfollowing the angioplasty procedure. In other embodiments, a Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment agent is administered to the patientbefore, during, and/or after the angioplasty procedure, in anycombination.

The inventions also include methods for treatment of a patient withischemic heart disease, or is at risk for developing ischemic heartdisease, including patients who exhibit one or more of the followingsymptoms: nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness, andfurther wherein the patient does not exhibit chest pain, comprisingadministering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent, wherein the patient isnot suffering a Q-wave MI or STEMI. In another embodiment of thismethod, the patient has a normal ECG.

Also provided are methods for increasing the time during whichthrombolytic therapy will be effective following the first symptom ofcardiac distress, comprising administering a therapeutically effectiveamount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent after theonset of one or more of the following symptoms: chest pain lastinglonger than 15 minutes, chest pain at rest, chest pain following minimalexertion, nausea, shortness of breath, palpitations, or dizziness.

In another aspect, the treated subject is a mammal, preferably a human.Other mammals include domestic and farm animals, and zoo, sports, or petanimals, such as dogs, horses, and cats.

In one aspect the invention is directed to sustained administration of aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and, optionally,another cardiovascular therapeutic agent. In one embodiment, theagent(s) are administered for at least about 0.5 hours, about 1-24hours, at least about 2, hours, at least about 3 hours, at least about 4hours, at least about 5 hours, at least about 6 hours, at least about 7hours, at least about 8 hours, at least about 9 hours, at least about 10hours, at least about 11 hours, at least about 12 hours or at leastabout 24 hours.

Any of the methods of treating a subject having or suspected of havingor predisposed to a disease, disorder, and/or condition referenced ordescribed herein may utilize the administration of any of the doses,dosage forms, formulations, compositions and/or devices hereindescribed.

A better understanding of the invention will be gained by reference tothe following non-limiting experimental section which is illustrativeand is not intended to limit the invention or the claims in any way. Thedata support the use of the compounds and compositions described hereinfor treatment of cardiovascular diseases, disorders and conditions, asdescribed.

EXAMPLES

Data show that BNPsp(17-26) is rapidly cleared from the circulation.However, it has been unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered thatcompounds, such as BNPsp(17-26) for example, can act as aprotective/therapeutic agent in, by way of example, experimental cardiacischemia and infarction.

Animal models may be used to test the efficacy of the administration ofcompounds of the invention to an individual with a cardiovasculardisorder, such as unstable angina, for example, a disorder within theACS spectrum, whether or not they have yet suffered an actualinfarction. Rat models and sheep models have been found to beparticularly well suited for this purpose. In rats, BNPsp(17-26)administered during the last 3 minutes of a 40 min ischemia period andthen throughout a 2-hour reperfusion period significantly reducedinfarct size (−30%), and the rats also had significantly improvedhemodynamics. In sheep, administration of BNPsp(17-26) significantlyreduced the stunning period, during reperfusion after a period ofsubcritical ischemia.

Methods showing cardioprotective properties of compounds of theinvention, such as BNPsp(17-26) and other BNPsp fragments for example,are provided. The Examples include experiments showing cardioprotectionin an in vitro isolated rat heart ischemia model, and in an in vivosheep model of myocardial infarction.

Example 1 Rat Heart Ischemia Model

Isolated rat heart. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 250 g to 350 gwere anesthetized by sodium pentobarbitone (50 mg/kg i.p.) andsacrificed by decapitation. The isolated, Langendorff perfused rat heartset up was prepared as previously described. Pemberton et al., Ghrelininduces vasoconstriction in the rat coronary vasculature withoutaltering cardiac peptide production. Am J. Physiol (Heart and Circ.Physiology) 2004 287: H1522-H1529; Piuhola et al., Direct Cardiacactions of erythropoietin (EPO): effects on cardiac contractility, BNPsecretion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Clinical Science 2008 114:293-304.

Left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), developed pressure (DP)and the maximal and minimal derivatives of the left ventricular pressure(+dP/dt_(max) and −dP/dt_(min), respectively) were measured with aliquid-filled balloon in the left ventricle. Perfusion pressure wasmonitored with a side arm cannula above the aortic root. A constant flowrate of 12 mL/min was maintained with a peristaltic pump (GilsonMinipuls, model MP-2). The animal ethics committee of the ChristchurchSchool of Medicine, University of Otago approved the study protocol. Theinvestigation conforms to the Guide for the Care and Use of LaboratoryAnimals published by the US National Institutes of Health (NIHpublication no. 85-23, revised 1996).

Ischemia-Reperfusion Protocol.

The preparations for ischemia-reperfusion experiments were paced with astimulator (Digitimer Ltd., England) using a bipolar electrode placed onthe right atrium (15 V, 1 ms, 300 bpm). The temperature in themoisturized chamber where the heart was positioned was monitored toremain between 35-37° C. throughout the experiments. In this set ofexperiments, the cardioprotective effects of increasing doses ofBNPsp(17-26) were evaluated (0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 and 10.0 nMoles/L).These doses are equivalent to about 0.1, 0.3, 1.0, 3.0, and 10-11 μg/Land administrable weight doses of about 400, 1000, 4000, 10,000 and39,000 ng/kg or about 0.4, 1.0, 4.0, 10 and 39 micrograms/kg. Doses werecompared under two different strategies: (1) a preconditioning effectprior to 45 minutes of global ischemia (“PRE”), and (2) a direct, “realtime” effect given at the initiation of 120 minutes reperfusion (“IDR”).The treatments were given, respectively, for 30 minutes either prior toischemia or starting at the time of reperfusion. During the reperfusion,35 minutes after reinitiating the coronary flow, the LVEDP wastemporarily set to 5 mmHg by adjusting intraventricular balloon volumeto obtain contractile parameters with comparable end-diastolic pressure.

Measurement of Perfusate cTnI and Myoglobin.

Cardiac troponin I (“cTnI”) levels in isolated heart perfusate weremeasured on a hospital laboratory high throughput analyser (AbbottArchitect, Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch Hospital, NewZealand), using a late generation cTnI assay. Myoglobin was measuredusing a Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (Canterbury HealthLabs, Christchurch, New Zealand) on an Abbot Architect i2000 analyser.

Tissue is also analysed for markers of apoptosis, namely TUNEL stainingand caspase 3 determination. Trypan blue exclusion (0.4% trypan in PBS)is performed to provide an estimate of necrotic cells. Three regionswith in the infarct territory are analyzed. The number is expressed as apercentage of necrotic cells out of 250 cells.

TUNEL Staining.

DNA fragmentation [terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated UTPend-labeling (TUNEL) assay] was detected from formalin fixed sections ofLV free wall using a kit from Chemicon International according to themanufacturer's protocol, as previously reported. Piuhola et al., DirectCardiac actions of erythropoietin (EPO): effects on cardiaccontractility, BNP secretion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. ClinicalScience 2008 114: 293-304. From each heart a cross section at midventricle level was used for staining and all the TUNEL positive cellswere counted. Sections were counterstained with DAPI to determine thetotal number of cells.

Immunohistochemical Detection of Cleaved Caspase-3.

Caspase-3 is one of the terminal effectors of the apoptotic cascade. Itexists in cells as an inactive 32 kDa protein, and in apoptotic cells itis cleaved to 20/17 kDa active form. An immunohistochemical techniquefor detection of cleaved caspase-3 was used. Briefly, formalin-fixedsections were deparaffinized, rehydrated and incubated in 1% H₂O₂ for 30min to quench endogenous peroxidase. Following antigen retrieval withheat, the sections were incubated overnight at 4° C. with a polyclonalrabbit antibody recognizing the cleaved form of human caspase-3 (CellSignaling Technology, Beverly, Mass.). Primary antibody binding wasdetected with peroxidase labelled polymer conjugated to goat anti-rabbitimmunoglobulins (DAKO Corporation, Carpinteria, Calif.) anddiaminobenzidine solution (DAKO) used as the substrate. The tissues werelightly counterstained with haematoxylin. PBS replaced the primaryantibody as negative control for these experiments. The mean number ofcaspase-3 positive cells per 7 randomly selected 40× objective fieldswas counted in each sample.

Isolation of Mitochondrial and Cytosolic Proteins.

Cardiac LV free walls were homogenized in a buffer containing 250 mMsucrose, 10 mM Tris, 1 mM EDTA, protease inhibitors and phosphataseinhibitors. The lysate was centrifuged for 5 min at 1000 g to pellet theunbroken cells and the nuclei. The supernatant was further centrifuged20 min at 13,000 g to pellet the mitochondria. The pellet wasresuspended in homogenization buffer and further washed twice with thesame buffer. Finally, the mitochondrial pellet was resuspended insolubilization buffer consisting of 150 mM NaCl, 20 mM Tris, 10 mM EDTA,1% NP-40, protease inhibitors and phosphatase inhibitors. After30-minute incubation on ice the lysate was centrifuged 10 min at 13,000g to pellet the unsoluble material. The supernatant was furthercentrifuged 60 min at 100,000 g to separate the cytosolic fraction (thesupernatant).

Assessment of BNPsp(17-26) Activity in Isolated Perfused Rat Heart.

Mass spectrometry was used to document oxidative stress reaction productaddition to unmodified BNPsp(17-26) in isolated rat heart perfusatesamples. Two samples were analysed: the first was 10 nmol/L unmodifiedBNPsp(17-26) in isolated heart perfusate that had not passed through anischemic heart; the second was 10 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) that had passedthrough a rat heart that had undergone no flow ischemia for 45 minutes.BNPsp(17-26) was added at the time of reperfusion and sample wascollected for 3 minutes after flow initiation.

Perfusate sample were extracted on solid phase cartridges (Pemberton etal., Ghrelin induces vasoconstriction in the rat coronary vasculaturewithout altering cardiac peptide production. Am J. Physiol (Heart andCirc. Physiology) 2004 287: H1522-H1529) and further purified bysize-exclusion high performance liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) using aisocratic gradient of 60% acetonitrile/0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).Immunoreactive BNPsp(17-26) was quantitated by immunoassay (Piuhola etal., Direct Cardiac actions of erythropoietin (EPO): Effects on cardiaccontractility, BNP secretion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. ClinicalScience 2008 114: 293-304) and then structurally assessed by matrixassisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectroscopy(MALDI-TOF MS). All MS spectra were acquired in positive-ion mode with800-1000 laser pulses per sample spot. A maximum of six precursor ionsof each sample spot were selected for MS/MS collision-inducedfragmentation (CID) analysis. Structural modifications to BNPsp(17-26)were analysed by LC-MS³ LTQ-OrbitrapXL mass spectrometry (ThermoScientific, San Jose, Calif.). Eluting peptides were monitored by a fullmass scan using the linear ion trap in a mass range from m/z 400-1400.The predicted m/z value of the doubly charged peptide was selected asthe exclusive precursor mass triggering subsequent scan events.

Statistical Analysis.

Results are presented as mean±standard error of the mean (SEM). Multiplegroup comparisons were made by one-way or repeated-measures ANOVA asappropriate followed by the post hoc test for least significantdifferences. For the comparison between two groups, Student's t test wasused. Significance was assumed at P<0.05. All the Statistical analyseswere performed with SPSS (version 17).

Results

Isolated Rat Heart Preparations

Infusion of BNPsp(17-26) either for 30 minutes prior to (pre), or for 30minutes immediately after (IDR), 45 minutes of ischemia resulted insignificant improvements in cardiac contractility (developed pressure,FIG. 1, Panel A) and in vascular tone (perfusion pressure, FIG. 1, PanelB), compared with control infusion that utilised vehicle buffer alone.Thus, control developed pressures returned to only ˜75% of pre-ischemicvalues, whereas pre-ischemia infusion with 0.3 nmol/L or post-ischemiainfusion of 1 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) returned developed pressures tobetween 110-120% pre-ischemia values (P<0.01). An element of doseresponse was observed and there was a trend for pre-infusion of 0.3nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) to have positive inotropic effect prior to ischemia.Likewise, vascular tone during the post-ischemic reperfusion phase waswell preserved with pre-ischemia infusion of 0.3 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26)(P<0.01) and with post-ischemia use of 0.3 and 1 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26)(P<0.05, FIG. 1, Panel B).

In agreement with the haemodynamic data, cardiac biomarker analysisrevealed marked and significant reductions in both TnI and myoglobinrelease during the reperfusion phase after ischemia, when BNPsp(17-26)was given either pre- or post-ischemia. Exemplar results, frompost-ischemia reperfusion (IDR), are shown in FIG. 1, panels C and D.Thus, both 0.3 and 1 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) resulted in ˜20% the TnIrelease of control infusion (Panel C, P<0.01) and ˜60% the controlmyoglobin release (Panel D, P<0.05). Given that TnI and myoglobinrelease have both been correlated with size of cardiac infarct andsubsequent prognosis (mortality, adverse events), these substantialBNPsp(17-26) inspired reductions have meaningful clinical utility.

Further analysis using reduced sequence variants of BNPsp revealscardiotherapeutic and cardioprotective effects.

Taken together, these results support a favourable clinical utility forBNPsp signal peptide fragment agents in the areas of cardiotherapy andcardioprotection (before and after ischemic episodes of any cause).

These data support the concept that human BNPsp(17-26), and shortercarboxyl terminal truncated versions, as well as N-terminal additionpeptides variants thereof, are powerful, clinically usefulcardiotherapeutic and cardioprotective agents. Accordingly, the clinicalpotential for use of these peptide sequences is strong in acute cardiaccoronary syndromes and other diseases, disorders and conditions notedherein. Other mammalian and lower vertebrate forms of BNPsp sequences,variants, derivatives, and analogs will also possess such therapeuticand protective properties.

Example 2 Sheep Model

Data show that BNPsp(17-26) is rapidly cleared from the circulation.However, it has been unexpectedly and surprisingly discovered thatunmodified BNPsp(17-26) can act as novel protective/therapeutic agent inexperimental cardiac ischemia and infarction, as indicated herein. ThisExample demonstrates that the compounds are safe.

Infusion of BNPsp(17-26) into two normal, healthy sheep (achievingcirculating levels found to be favourably bioactive in isolated rathearts) resulted in no detectable changes to hemodynamics, renalfunction or circulating biomarkers (cardiac output is an exemplar shownin FIG. 2). This is a favourable profile in normal health.

Example 3 Rat Heart Ischemia Model

Ex Vivo Isolated Perfused Rat Heart Model of Cardiac Ischemic InjuryHeart.

In this Example, more than 100 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, allmale. The heart was removed the heart under global anaesthesia andplaced in an it in our experimental rig setup as described in Example 1.The hearts were is perfused with a standard, well used buffer systemcontaining glucose to provide energy and calcium to ensure the intrinsicbeating activity of the heart is preserved. After equilibration, weperform two types of experiments were performed. First, we infuse thehearts were infused with either vehicle control (buffer itself) or humanBNPsp(17-26) for 30 minutes prior to 40 minutes of global ischemia(referred to: this is known as pre-conditioning). Second, we infuse thehearts were infused with vehicle or human BNPsp(17-26) after ischemia(referred to: this is known as reperfusion treatment), which and moreclosely mimics the real clinical situation (ie. given that doctors canonly invoke Tx AFTERtherapy after a heart attack has occurred). Endpoints of interest are improvements in cardiac contractility afterischemia, reduction in cardiac troponin release, improvements inpost-ischemia coronary blood pressure, reduction in infarct size. At theend of the experiment, left ventricular free wall regions were biopsiedfor subsequent determination of markers of apoptosis (TUNEL staining,caspase 3) and Western Blot of ERK1/2, PI3K, Akt and GSK-3β.4

TUNEL staining was done on samples of the left ventricular free wallthat were fixed in 10% formaldehyde overnight and then stored inparaffin. Prior to staining the sections were rehydrated with salinebuffer and endogenous peroxidase activity blocked by incubation with0.3% H2O2. TUNEL staining was performed as per the manufacturer'sprotocol (Chemicon International). The mean number of TUNEL positivecells were counted and reported as a ratio of the entire cell count perten randomly selected 400× objective fields in each sample.

Caspase 3 staining was performed on separate slides prepared as forTUNEL staining. Prior to staining slides were rehydrated and incubatedwith 1% (v/v)H2O2. The hearts were incubated for hours at 4° C. with apolyclonal rabbit antibody directed towards the activated form ofCaspase 3 (Cell Signalling Technology). Primary antibody binding wasdetected with perxidase labelled polymer conjugated with goat antirabbit IgG (DAKO). The slides were then lightly counterstained withhematoxylin. The slides were photographed at ×400 magnification.

Isolated Rat Heart Data

Human BNPsp(17-26) reduced the damage caused to heart tissue by a periodof ischemia. When hearts receiving vehicle undergo global ischemia for40 minutes they recovered to about 70% of their pre-ischemia contractilefunction (developed pressure). This is true for pre-conditioned andreperfusion treatment hearts. In contrast, hearts pre-conditioned ortreated at reperfusion with BNPsp(17-26) recover to slightly over 100%of their pre-ischemia contractile function (FIG. 3). Thus, whenconsidering control versus 0.3 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26), there was asignificant increase in contractility during infusion with 0.3 nmol/Lconcentration (+15.4% versus control, P=0.003). More importantly, duringthe reperfusion phase after ischemia, there were statisticallysignificant improvements in developed pressure in the BNPsp(17-26)treated hearts (0.1-0.3 nmol/L+21% versus control, P=0.007). Analysisshowed significant differences between control and 0.1 and 0.3 nmol/Lwith both these concentrations achieving improved contractility acrossall time points analyzed.

Concomitant with the improvements in developed pressure, BNPsp(17-26)induces improvements in coronary vascular tone, such that there isreduced post-ischemia coronary vasoconstriction (FIG. 5). During thereperfusion stage, there were significant changes in perfusion pressuresbetween groups. Compared with control values, repeated measures ANOVAwith post-hoc analysis identified significant reductions (−25 to −50%,P=0.008) in reperfusion vascular pressures at the doses of 0.1-0.3nmol/L BNPsp(17-26). These effects began immediately post reperfusionand continued until the end of the sampling period.

Following this, reperfusion-only were conducted experiments in isolatedrat hearts. In rat hearts receiving 0.3-1.0 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) atreperfusion, cardiac contractile function was significantly improvedcompared with control values (FIG. 6). During the reperfusion stageimproved contractility was observed in the study hearts administered 0.3and 1 nmol/L BNPsp(17-26) (+7% and +26% versus control, P=0.003,respectively).

Corresponding to this, reperfusion perfusion pressures and cardiactroponin release were also improved in hearts receiving BNPsp(17-26)(FIG. 5). During reperfusion, hearts administered 0.3 and 1 nmol/LBNPsp(17-26) had lower mean perfusion pressures (−10%, P<0.05) comparedwith control.

In accordance with this positive haemodynamic profile, the release oftroponin I from the ischemic myocardium was significantly reduced inhearts receiving BNPsp(17-26). Thus, compared with control, there was a50% reduction in cumulative Troponin I release in hearts administered0.3 nmol/L (P<0.05) and a 66% reduction (P<0.01) in hearts receiving 1nmol/L BNPsp(17-26).

We also investigated the effect of BNPsp(17-26) upon markers of cellularapoptosis and necrosis. FIG. 8 displays the cellular preservationeffects of BNPsp(17-26) as determined by HE staining, as indicated byimproved integrity and less disruption in form in BNPsp(17-26) treatedhearts.

Staining for caspase-3 activity is shown in FIG. 9. There was asignificant reduction in caspase-3 positive cells (indicated by browncolouration) in hearts treated with BNPsp(17-26).

Staining with TUNEL revealed less brown coloured nuclei in BNPsp(17-26)treated hearts, which indicates a greater degree of DNA integrity andless cellular fragmentation. See FIG. 10.

Example 4 In Vivo Myocardial Infarction Sheep Models (Healthy and)

Infusion of human BNPsp(17-26) during in vivo cardiac ischemia in sheepwill also result in beneficial effects upon cardiac contractilefunction, significant reductions in release of biomarkers (troponin I,myoglobin) of necrosis and significant reductions in ventricular wallstress abnormalities that accompany remodelling after ischemia.

In this set of experiments, four normal healthy sheep were infused withhuman BNPsp(17-26) at 100-1000 ug/kg·min-1 to document any effects uponnormal blood pressure, heart rate or renal function. This experiment wascarried out to determine achieved circulating levels of BNPsp(17-26) inresponse to the dose given and to document any significant effects uponhaemodynamic, renal or hormonal indices.

Experimental myocardial infarction was performed on 8 sham operated and7 experimental sheep. Each sheep was surgically prepared underanaesthesia with jugular and carotid access catheters, ECG electrodesand a Swan Ganz catheter to measure cardiac output. All 15 sheepunderwent 90 min ischaemia of the 2nd diagonal of the LAD coronaryartery by means of a releasable snare. 30 min prior to the start ofischemia, each sheep received (depending on their group) either salineor 500 ng/kg/min BNPsp(17-26) for 120 min. Thus, this study was apre-conditioning and during design. Serial haemodynamic recordings andvenous blood sampling were taken pre-anaesthetic and then at −10,occlusion (O), O+30, O+60, O+90, and then at 120, 150, 240, and 360 minand 5, 24 and 48 hours. Serial echocardiography (basal, mid and apicalregions in the short-axis plane) was performed pre, during and 30 minpost occlusion.

Infusion of human BNPsp(17-26) at 100-1000 ug/kg·min in 4 normal sheephad no significant effects upon haemodynamic, renal or hormonal indices(FIG. 11). The clearance of BNPsp(17-26) from the circulation in sheepwas very fast, being in the order of minutes. This suggests a plasmahalf-life of less than 1 minute, or a very rapid proteolytic cleavage toa non-immunoreactive form.

Following this positive safety/tolerance profile, we then administered500 ng/kg·min synthetic human BNPsp(17-26) to 7 sheep undergoing cardiacischemia induced by coronary ligation. Importantly, when compared withcontrol saline infusions, BNPsp(17-26) significantly reduced cumulativecardiac troponin I (P<0.01) release post-ischemia (FIG. 12).

Example 5 Analysis of BNPsp(17-26) Metabolites Formed In Vivo DuringIschemia

In this Example, the degradation of human BNPsp(17-26) into metaboliteswas assessed. Two methods were used. In a first experimental, an ex vivoset up was used wherein 1 nM BNPsp(17-26) was infused, at the time ofreperfusion after 40 min ischemia into an isolated rat heart. The systemwas set to recirculate the BNPsp(17-26) containing buffer so the peptidewas exposed to ischemic tissue for more than one pass through the heart.A 10 ml sample of perfusate was collected after 20 minutes ofrecirculation, extracted on a Sep Pak C18 cartridge and purified byimmunoaffinity purification and reverse phase HPLC. This purifiedmaterial was then subjected to tandem MS/MS for precise identification.The second experimental was in vivo, wherein 3 ml of peripheral plasmafrom sheep receiving 500 ng/kg·min BNPsp(17-26) during cardiac ischemiawas purified as for the ex vivo isolated rat heart perfusate andanalysed on tandem MS/MS.

These experiments assessed the degradation during ischemia of humanBNPsp(17-26) to metabolites when passed through an isolated rat heartpreparation or whole animal (sheep). In both setups, synthetic humanBNPsp(17-26) was degraded to a smaller form, namely BNPsp(18-26),resulting from proteolytic cleavage of the amino terminal leucine. Thisis shown in FIG. 13. A single sharp peak resolved on RP-HPLC and wasconfirmed as human BNPsp(18-26) by tandem MS/MS. This indicates that theamino terminal end is most susceptible to initial degradation.

Example 6 Effect of Modifying the Amino Acid Sequence of BNPsp(17-26)

This set of experiments assessed modified BNPsp(17-26) peptides. Thisexperiment repeated the preconditioning work outlined in the isolatedrat heart model Examples, but with C-terminal ablated and an N-terminalextended version of BNPsp(17-26). Hearts were preconditioned with 30minute doses of 0.3 nmol/L BNPsp(16-26) and BNPsp(17-24) prior to 40minutes of global ischemia and 90 minutes reperfusion. Cardiaccontractile and perfusion pressure indices were recorded.

Modification of the BNPsp(17-26) sequence in these initial experiments,either through N-terminal addition or C-terminal ablation, and theeffects upon responses observed in isolated hearts are shown in FIG. 14.Importantly, the addition of phenylalanine (F) at position 16 to theN-terminus (thus creating BNPsp(16-26)) gave the same haemodynamicprotective profile as BNPsp(17-26). A modified peptide with twoC-terminal amino acids removed (i.e., BNPsp(17-24) also had a protectiveeffect.

All patents, publications, scientific articles, web sites, and otherdocuments and materials referenced or mentioned herein are indicative ofthe levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the inventionpertains, and each such referenced document and material is herebyincorporated by reference to the same extent as if it had beenincorporated by reference in its entirety individually or set forthherein in its entirety. Applicants reserve the right to physicallyincorporate into this specification any and all materials andinformation from any such patents, publications, scientific articles,web sites, electronically available information, and other referencedmaterials or documents.

The specific methods and compositions described herein arerepresentative of preferred embodiments and are exemplary and notintended as limitations on the scope of the invention. Other objects,aspects, and embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art uponconsideration of this specification, and are encompassed within thespirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the claims. It willbe readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutionsand modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. The inventionillustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absenceof any element or elements, or limitation or limitations, which is notspecifically disclosed herein as essential. Thus, for example, in eachinstance herein, in embodiments or examples of the present invention,any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of”, and“consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms inthe specification. Also, the terms “comprising”, “including”,containing”, etc. are to be read expansively and without limitation. Themethods and processes illustratively described herein suitably may bepracticed in differing orders of steps, and that they are notnecessarily restricted to the orders of steps indicated herein or in theclaims. It is also that as used herein and in the appended claims, thesingular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise. Under no circumstances may thepatent be interpreted to be limited to the specific examples orembodiments or methods specifically disclosed herein. Under nocircumstances may the patent be interpreted to be limited by anystatement made by any Examiner or any other official or employee of thePatent and Trademark Office unless such statement is specifically andwithout qualification or reservation expressly adopted in a responsivewriting by Applicants.

The terms and expressions that have been employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and there is no intent in the use ofsuch terms and expressions to exclude any equivalent of the featuresshown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized thatvarious modifications are possible within the scope of the invention asclaimed. Thus, it will be understood that although the present inventionhas been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optionalfeatures, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosedmay be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that suchmodifications and variations are considered to be within the scope ofthis invention as defined by the appended claims.

The invention has been described broadly and generically herein. Each ofthe narrower species and subgeneric groupings falling within the genericdisclosure also form part of the invention. This includes the genericdescription of the invention with a proviso or negative limitationremoving any subject matter from the genus, regardless of whether or notthe excised material is specifically recited herein.

Other embodiments are within the following claims. In addition, wherefeatures or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markushgroups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention isalso thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup ofmembers of the Markush group.

1. A pharmaceutical composition for use in preventing and/or treating acardiovascular disorder, comprising a therapeutically effective amountof a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment agent and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 2.-10. (canceled)
 11. Asubstantially pure peptide having the amino acid sequence selected fromthe group consisting ofLH X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇ X_(g)  a. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val,Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile,Ala, Tyr or Gly; X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ isPro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₇ is Gln, Asn or Gly;and X₈ is Ser, Thr or Gly;LH X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆ X₇  b. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met,Ala, Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala,Tyr or Gly; X₄ is; Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ isPro, Ala, Arg or Ser; X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; and X₇ is Arg, Gln,Asn or Gly; provided that where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala,Phe or Gly, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu,X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₂is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can alsobe Arg; where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu,X₂ can also be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can alsobe Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met,Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also bePhe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg; where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu,X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can alsobe Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₇ is Lys, Gln, Asn or Gly, X₁ canalso be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu,X₅ can also be Gly, and X₆ can also be Gly;LH X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ X₅ X₆  c. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala,Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr orGly; X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; X₅ is Pro, Ala,Arg or Ser; and X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser; provided that where X₁ isNorleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ canalso be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can alsobe Leu, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala,Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu,X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₄is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also beGly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ canalso be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu,X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₆ is Pro, Ala, Arg orSer, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ canalso be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄ 1 S X₅  d. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala,Phe or Gly; X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr orGly; X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; and X₅ is Pro,Ala, Arg or Ser; provided that where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met,Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also beLeu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also bePhe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇can also be Arg; where X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can alsobe Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile,Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can alsobe Arg; where X₅ is Pro, Ala, Arg or Ser, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ canalso be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₆ can also be Gly,and X₇ can also be Arg;L H X₁ X₂ X₃ X₄  e. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe orGly; X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly;and X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly; provided thatwhere X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also beAla, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ canalso be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₂ is Val, Leu or Ile or Gly,X₁ can also be Leu, X₃ can also be Phe, X₄ can also be Leu, X₅ can alsobe Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg; where X₃ is Leu,Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₄can also be Leu, X₅ can also be Gly, X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can alsobe Arg; where X₄ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₁ canalso be Leu, X₂ can also be Ala, X₃ can also be Phe, X₅ can also be Gly,X₆ can also be Gly, and X₇ can also be Arg;L H X₁ X₂ X₃  f. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe orGly; X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; and X₃ is Leu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr orGly; provided that where X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe orGly, X₂ can also be Ala, and X₃ can also be Phe; where X₂ is Val, Leu orIle or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₃ can also be Phe; and where X₃ isLeu, Val, Ile, Ala, Tyr or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu, and X₂ can also beAla;L H X₁ X₂  g. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly;and X₂ is Val, Leu, Ile or Gly; provided that where X₁ is Norleucine,Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly, X₂ can also be Ala; and where X₂ is Val,Leu or Ile or Gly, X₁ can also be Leu; andL H X₁  h. wherein X₁ is Norleucine, Ile, Val, Met, Ala, Phe or Gly. 12.A method selected from the group consisting of: a. treating a subjecthaving or at risk for developing a cardiovascular disorder, comprisingincreasing Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment activity in saidsubject; b. treating a subject having or at risk for developing an acutecoronary syndrome, comprising administering to the subject a compositioncomprising a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment or Type-Bnatriuretic signal peptide fragment analog; and c. preparing amedicament for preventing or treating a cardiovascular disorder or anacute coronary syndrome, comprising bringing together a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a Type-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment or aType-B natriuretic signal peptide fragment analog and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier; wherein the Type-B natriuretic signal peptidefragment optionally comprises a substantially pure peptide according toclaim 11, or an analog, derivative, or prodrug or such a peptide.13.-19. (canceled)